The Cavaliers are no longer undefeated in 2025! After twelve successes in a row, including a very convincing one against the Thunder, Donovan Mitchell’s teammates fell. At home, against the Pacers deprived of Tyrese Haliburton, they completely foiled in the second half to finally lose 108-93. Kenny Atkinson’s players had not lost since December 9, and this is only their second defeat at home this season.
However, the Cavaliers had dominated for three quarters, with a 13-point lead at halftime. Everything was going well, especially as we learned that Tyrese Haliburton was forced to withdraw from the second half. And then, while Cleveland led 60-45 after the locker room, Rick Carlisle decided to launch an all-court press.
Le show Toppin
This completely disorganized the Cavs offense, to the point of forcing shots on isolations, and playing only in the half court. Worse, the Cavaliers will lose 12 balls in the 3rd quarter alone. Under the leadership of Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers will then turn the tide of the match to pass a 32-7! From +15 for Cleveland, we then go to +10 for Indiana.
The Cavaliers’ reaction will never come, and it is Andrew Nembhard, with a 3-pointer with the board, who will cool the room six minutes from the end of the match to increase the gap to +13.
Behind Pascal Siakam takes charge, and the gap climbs to 18 points! At the start of “money time”, Kenny Atkinson understood that his players were knocked out, and he sent the end of the bench to stretch their legs. The good news for Cleveland is that the two teams meet again on Tuesday in Indiana.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– A failed attack. On the defense side, not much to complain about on the Cleveland side with effective rotations and desire. On the other hand, in the second half, we saw the worst face of the Cavaliers. For the first time this season, the team did not reach the 100 point mark. As for Donovan Mitchell, it’s a 4th game in a row under the 20-point mark.
– The blessure of Tyrese Haliburton. Hit in the back of the thigh, and it’s always worrying, Tyrese Haliburton did not return to the game after the break. Paradoxically, it is without him that the Pacers will completely reverse the course of the match with this all-terrain defense.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
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