During the Sunday NBA slate, the Cleveland Cavaliers comfortably defeated the Indiana Pacers 122-103 thanks to 24 points from Darius Garland and 20 points from Isaac Okoro.
The Cavaliers were led by Jarrett Allen’s 18 points and 13 rebounds, Evan Mobley’s 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell’s 19 points and six assists. Although Garland averaged 22 points and 8.2 assists, he did not get an All-Star nod despite making four 3s and assisting six times.
“No extra fuel,” Garland said. “I think I was a snub, but I’ve just got to come out and prove it every night.”
Myles Turner led the Pacers with 27 points and 10 rebounds. He has been a bright spot for the team despite them losing 12 of their previous 14 games. Indiana also received 15 points and 11 assists from Tyrese Haliburton, while Buddy Hield scored 16 points.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyrese Haliburton & Indiana Pacers Updates
After trailing just 27-25 at the end of the first quarter, the Pacers quickly fell out of favor. The Cavaliers took control in the second quarter, leading 62-46 at halftime. They extended their lead over the Pacers to 23 points in the third quarter and were up by as many as 26 in the final period.
“There’s a seriousness to our approach and an attitude to how we are playing,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “I think we are taking steps in the right direction. Sometimes when the offense comes easy, you just get in a back-and-forth, but in the fourth we did a much better job of tightening back up and controlling the tempo. We are growing in that area of understanding the intensity level that it takes.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyrese Haliburton & Indiana Pacers Updates
Among the challenges the Pacers faced were the struggles in pick-and-roll coverages. They were unable to get stops consistently. It will undoubtedly be something to clean up going forward.
“They did a good job controlling us in the pick-and-roll,” Haliburton said. “We weren’t able to get stops, and that allowed them to set their defense. Kudos to them. A lot of different guys contributed for them. They just outplayed us.”
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