- Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 35 points, supported by Darius Garland’s 24 points and Evan Mobley’s 22 points and 13 rebounds
- Cleveland’s 10-0 run in the third quarter established a decisive lead, finishing the period up 100-89
- Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 23 points but was limited to just two points in the second half
- Bennedict Mathurin’s ejection late in the game hindered Indiana’s comeback efforts
- Cleveland outrebounded Indiana 49-37 and excelled at the free-throw line, converting 26 of 31 attempts
Key Takeaways:
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers 127-117 on Tuesday night, driven by Donovan Mitchell’s stellar 35-point performance. Darius Garland added 24 points, and Evan Mobley recorded a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. A 10-0 run in the third quarter proved pivotal for Cleveland, giving them an 11-point lead at the end of the period.
Donovan Mitchell tonight:
35 Points
9 Rebounds
3 Assists
2 Steals
52% FG pic.twitter.com/Jdmq3aMelY— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 15, 2025
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 23 points, but his impact was diminished in the second half, where he managed just two points. Bennedict Mathurin contributed 19 points, while Myles Turner added 17. However, Mathurin’s ejection with 3:58 remaining due to his second technical foul further derailed the Pacers’ late-game push.
Cleveland dominated the boards with a 49-37 rebounding edge and showcased efficiency at the free-throw line, hitting 26 of 31 attempts compared to Indiana’s 17 of 22. The Pacers struggled without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who missed the game due to a groin strain. Ben Sheppard, filling in for Haliburton, had a subdued performance with just two assists and a 1-for-6 shooting night.
Next up, the Cavaliers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Pacers are set to play the Detroit Pistons.