Cavs Runaway from Pacers, Win 120-109

*** On Friday night, the Wine & Gold welcomed back a pair of familiar faces – and that duo propelled them right back into the win column. 

Darius Garland and Jaylon Tyson returned from multi-game absences, and after a hiccup on the homestand against Houston, the Cavaliers looked like themselves again, pulling away late to take the 120-109 decision over Indiana at Rocket Arena. 

Garland – in his first game back since re-injuring his toe on Nov. 10 in Miami – got his motor running again in the first quarter, but looked like vintage DG in the second – scoring 13 of his 20 points in the period, going 3-of-5 from the floor, drilling both triples he attempted and went 5-of-5 from the stripe. In 26 minutes of action in his return, the 7^th-year guard also led Cleveland with seven assists. 

“It’s getting there,” said Garland, on the team trying to return to last season’s form. “It takes time – and we’re not even 100 percent healthy yet. It’s going to take some time, especially when everybody else gets back, it’s still going to take a little bit more. But we’re starting to get some flashes of some stuff from last year.”

Tyson – who’s been out with a concussion over the same stretch as Garland – proceeded to drain his first six shots of the night – finishing with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting, adding eight boards and three assists in the win. 

“I felt like the excitement was up with those two guys bring a lot of life to the arena, a lot of life to the team, a lot of life to the bench. Without those two were a lot more businesslike. Evan is businesslike, Donovan is businesslike. But (Garland and Tyson) can be goofy and fun and have a laugh even in tense moments. I know it helps me calm down sometimes. Those guys have great spirit.” 

Friday marked the first time these two teams have met since Indiana upset the Cavs in last year’s East Semis, although the reigning Conference champs aren’t quite the same team this year in Tyrese Haliburton’s absence. The scrappy Pacers still stuck with Cleveland through the first stanza before Donovan Mitchell began heating up in the third quarter – notching 14 of his team-high 32 points as the Cavs opened up a double-digit lead and barely looked back from there. 

For Mitchell, it was his fifth 30-point performance in his last six games – going 11-for-22 from the floor on the night, drilling four triples to go with nine rebounds, five assists and a steal. Overall, it was the six-time All-Star’s 10^th 30-point-plus outing of the year; 80^th as a member of the Cavaliers. 

Evan Mobley got the start at center with Jarrett Allen out with a finger strain and got to work early on Friday – scoring 12 of his 22 points in the opening quarter and leading both squads with 12 boards for his sixth double-double of the season, adding four assists and a game-high four blocks, his seventh game this year with multiple swats. 

De’Andre Hunter stayed hot on Friday night – following up his 25-point effort on Wednesday against Houston with a 20-point showing against Indy, going an even 8-of-16 from the floor, adding seven boards and a pair of steals. Hunter has now topped the 20-point plateau five times in the month of November. 

On the night, Cleveland shot 48 percent from the floor and topped Indiana on the boards, 52-43. After struggling from the stripe in Wednesday’s loss to Houston, the Wine and Gold shot 78 percent (21-of-27) in Friday’s victory. 

The Cavs second unit had a quiet offensive night in the win – combining for just 12 points. But Lonzo Ball played a rock-solid floor game, finishing with seven boards, five assists and a block. Larry Nance Jr., getting his longest run since Nov. 12, chipped in with four points, two boards and a pair of blocks in the win. 

*** With the win, the Cavs – utilizing their 10^th different starting lineup this season – improved to 2-1 in NBA Cup Group play with +34 point differential. The Wine and Gold also continued to dominate their own division – improving to 5-0 against the Central this season, including 17-4 over their last 21 matchups. 

*** After dropping Indiana, the Cavaliers look to take four of the six games on their season-long homestand when they welcome the Clippers to town on Sunday evening. Cleveland finally gets back on the road on Monday night, traveling north of the border in an attempt to avenge a pair of home losses against the Raptors in the final contest before Thanksgiving. After the holiday, the Wine and Gold head to Atlanta in another NBA Cup matchup on Friday night and close out the month of November the following Monday when Boston comes to town.