The Cleveland Cavaliers’ impressive 12-game winning streak came to an end on Sunday night as they fell to the Indiana Pacers 108-93 at home. This loss, dropping the Cavs to a still-impressive 33-5 record, was arguably their worst performance of the season so far.
Offensively, the Cavs struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in the face of the Pacers’ aggressive full-court press. Indiana’s strategy of applying pressure for 94 feet disrupted Cleveland’s usual offensive flow, forcing them into rushed decisions and careless turnovers. The third quarter was especially problematic, with seven turnovers leading directly to 12 Pacers points.
Despite the pressure, the Cavs still managed to generate decent looks. However, shots simply weren’t falling. The team posted their worst three-point shooting percentage of the season, connecting on just 26% of their attempts from beyond the arc. This off-night resulted in the Cavs’ lowest offensive rating of the season at 94.9 points per 100 possessions, even lower than their previous worst performance against Atlanta earlier in the year.
While the offensive struggles were significant, head coach Kenny Atkinson seemed more concerned about the team’s defensive effort, particularly in the second half. After holding Indiana to just 40 points in the first half, the Cavs allowed the Pacers to explode for 68 points on 61% shooting after the break. The lack of transition defense was especially problematic, allowing Indiana to thrive in their preferred up-tempo style.
The loss provides an opportunity for the Cavs to demonstrate their resilience and ability to make adjustments. With another matchup against the Pacers looming on Tuesday in Indianapolis, all eyes will be on how Atkinson and his staff counter the defensive pressure that disrupted their offense and whether they can tighten up their own defensive effort.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Cavs’ loss and upcoming rematch with the Pacers, tune into the Locked On Cavs podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Cavs Podcast:
• Detailed breakdown of the Pacers’ defensive strategy
• Analysis of the Cavs’ offensive struggles and missed shots
• Discussion on the importance of maintaining defensive effort when shots aren’t falling
