The Indiana Pacers delivered a stellar performance to break the Cleveland Cavaliers' impressive 12-game winning streak, claiming a dominant 108-93 victory at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Sunday (January 12). Despite being without their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton for the second half due to a tight left hamstring, the Pacers mounted an impressive comeback and outplayed the Cavaliers in the final two quarters to seal their sixth consecutive win.
Haliburton, who had been a key contributor throughout the season, had just two points in 19 minutes of action before leaving the game. His absence, however, did not deter the Pacers, as the team stepped up collectively to pull off the stunning win. Six Pacers players finished in double figures, with Andrew Nembhard leading the charge in Haliburton's absence. Nembhard finished with 19 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting performance, helping to keep the Pacers in the game while their star was sidelined.
Pascal Siakam also played a crucial role, contributing 18 points and nine rebounds, while Myles Turner added 15 points and 10 boards, showcasing the Pacers' strong team-oriented play. Despite trailing by 13 points at halftime, Indiana came out in the second half with a renewed sense of purpose, outscoring the Cavaliers by 20 points and shooting a scorching 61% from the field. Their defense also stepped up, limiting Cleveland to just 28.2% shooting in the second half.
The Cavaliers, who had been dominant at home, struggled to find their rhythm in the second half. This marked the first time this season that Cleveland was held under 100 points. Darius Garland led the Cavs with 20 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 19 points. Evan Mobley registered a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Pacers from completing their comeback.
Indiana’s defense played a pivotal role in the victory, particularly in the third quarter, when they mounted a decisive run of 13 unanswered points to close the gap. By the end of the third quarter, the Pacers had taken a ten-point lead, which they would not relinquish. The Cavaliers made an early push in the fourth quarter, but key performances from the Pacers, including Jarace Walker’s five consecutive points, helped maintain their lead.
The Pacers' victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. They demonstrated that even without their primary playmaker, they could rely on their depth and defense to get the job done. As the Pacers continue to build momentum, they will look to carry this strong form into their upcoming games.
Meanwhile, in another exciting game, the Sacramento Kings secured a 124-119 win over the Chicago Bulls, with De’Aaron Fox leading the charge. Fox, who had been sidelined with an injury, made an immediate impact with 26 points and nine rebounds. The Kings’ win extended their winning streak to seven games under interim coach Doug Christie. Chicago’s Zach LaVine was outstanding with 36 points, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the Bulls from suffering a loss that ended their four-game home winning streak.
In New York, Jalen Brunson played a starring role, scoring 44 points to lead the Knicks to a commanding victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Knicks controlled the game from the start, with contributions from Karl-Anthony Towns, who also added solid scoring and rebounding. Despite strong performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for Milwaukee, the Knicks held their ground and secured a comfortable win, further solidifying their dominance at home.
