Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Pacers get a statement win over the Cavaliers
Jan 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) tries to strip the ball from Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze/Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Pacers Make a Statement with Dominant Win Over Cavs
The Indiana Pacers made a resounding statement on Sunday night, ending the Cleveland Cavaliers impressive home win streak with a 93-78 victory. This win extends the Pacers own streak to six consecutive games, all by double-digit margins.
What stood out most in this game was the Pacers ability to adapt and have different players step up at crucial moments. Throughout the contest, various Pacers took turns being the best player on the floor. Myles Turner led the charge early, scoring 10 of his 15 points in the first half when the team needed an offensive spark.
As the game progressed, other players rose to the occasion. Bennedict Mathurin’s third-quarter performance was pivotal, scoring 10 points and providing the perimeter threat the team desperately needed. Obi Toppin then caught fire late in the third, contributing 10 points in just five minutes.
The fourth quarter saw contributions from multiple players. Jarace Walker dominated the boards, Pascal Siakam became the focal point of the offense, and Andrew Nembhard closed out the game strong with 11 points.
This win wasn’t just about offense, though. The Pacers defense was exceptional, particularly in the second half. They held the Cavaliers, who boast the league’s best offense, to just 40 points after halftime. The Pacers effectively walled off the rim, making it difficult for Cleveland’s guards to penetrate and limiting the effectiveness of their big men, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
The Pacers defensive pressure was relentless, forcing turnovers and disrupting the Cavaliers usually fluid offense. This defensive effort, combined with the team’s balanced scoring attack, proved to be the winning formula against one of the NBA’s top teams.
With this victory, the Pacers continue to climb the Eastern Conference standings, currently sitting in fifth place. Their recent defensive improvements, coupled with their already potent offense, make them a formidable opponent for any team in the league.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers’ statement win over the Cavaliers, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
• Detailed breakdown of individual player performances
• Analysis of the Pacers defensive strategies against the Cavs
• Discussion on the team’s recent six-game winning streak
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Trade A massive trade proposal has been suggested involving the Pacers, focusing on key player movements that could reshape the roster. Insights on Haliburton’s resurgence and Nesmith’s injury status are also discussed. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton exited the game against the Cavaliers with an apparent injury. The incident’s potential impact on the team’s dynamics and upcoming games is a significant concern. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade Bleacher Report suggests a trade every NBA team, including the Indiana Pacers, should propose. The focus is on strategic player exchanges that could benefit team performance and future prospects.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. A statement win for the Pacers Indiana earned their sixth win a row and toppled the red-ht Cavaliers on Sunday. It was a statement win for the back-on-track Pacers, who won with defense, balance, and a malleable game plan. But Tyrese Haliburton left the game with an injury.
Pacers keep it rolling vs Warriors The Pacers didn’t play great on Friday, but the banged-up Warriors were still no match for the blue and gold. Here’s how Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathuirn led Indiana to a fifth-straight win.
Hear from some Pacers players The Indiana Pacers have won four straight, which is a good time to check in on their turnaround. What duos have been guiding the team of late, by the numbers? Then, RayJ Dennis, Johnny Furphy, and Enrique Freeman chat on the podcast.
