After blowing a 15-point lead to the Pacers on Sunday, the Cavs bounced back behind Donovan Mitchell’s 35 points and Evan Mobley’s double-double.
INDIANAPOLIS — Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers 127-117 on Tuesday night.
Darius Garland scored 24 points and Evan Mobley added 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
Pascal Siakam scored 23 points and Bennedict Mathurin 19 for the Pacers, who had their six-game winning streak halted. Myles Turned added 17 points.
The Cavaliers were ahead 82-77 in the third quarter but then went on a 10-0 run, which featured 3-pointers made by Max Strus, Georges Niang, and Mobley. By the end of the third period, Cleveland was leading 100-89.
Indiana cut its deficit to 111-106, but could get no closer.
When Indiana found themselves trailing at 120-111, Mathurin was thrown out of the game after receiving a double technical foul with just 3:58 remaining. Mitchell capitalized on the situation by making both technical free throws while Mobley managed to sink one of his two free throws.
The Pacers had ended the host Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak with a 108-93 victory on Sunday night.
Indiana played without All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined with left groin strain.
Takeaways
Cavaliers: Following their first loss since Dec. 8, Cleveland managed to recover and dominate with a 49-37 advantage in rebounding. Additionally, the Cavaliers successfully contained Siakam in the second half, allowing him to score only two points on five shot attempts.
Pacers: Indiana missed Haliburton, and his replacement, Ben Sheppard, had just two assists and shot 1 for 6.
Key moment
After the Pacers closed the deficit to 115-109, Garland sank a 27-foot 3-pointer to put Cleveland ahead 118-109 with 4:48 left.
Key stat
The Cavaliers sank 26 of 31 free throws. That was nine more free throws than the Pacers (17 of 22). Both teams shot 48% from the field.
Up next
The Cavaliers are at Oklahoma City on Thursday in a matchup of the East and West conference leaders. The Pacers are at Detroit on Thursday.
