Darius Garland's Fourth-Quarter Surge Lifts Cavaliers Over Reeling Pacers
The Cleveland Cavaliers, battling through multiple roster absences, rallied to hand the Indiana Pacers a franchise-record 13th consecutive loss with a 120-116 victory on Tuesday night.
Darius Garland led the charge for Cleveland, erupting for 14 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter. His efforts keyed a decisive 13-point run that erased a nine-point deficit entering the final period and secured the Cavaliers' fourth win in five games.
The Cavaliers achieved this despite missing key personnel. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was rested, and sharpshooter Max Strus remains out for at least another month with a foot injury. The team also lost forward Dean Wade in the first half to a bruised knee. Evan Mobley contributed 20 points, while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill (who hit six three-pointers) each added 19.
The loss was historically bitter for the Pacers, the defending Eastern Conference champions. Their 13-game skid is the longest in the franchise's NBA history and leaves them with the league's worst record at 6-31. They now sit one loss away from matching the Washington Wizards' 14-game streak for the longest in the league this season.
Pascal Siakam paced Indiana with 22 points, and Jay Huff matched his season high with 20 points, including four three-pointers. The Pacers were severely shorthanded, playing without Isaiah Jackson, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton due to injuries. Despite the absences, Indiana had a chance to force overtime in the final seconds but could not convert as the game ended with a series of free throws.
The defeat also postpones head coach Rick Carlisle's milestone 900th career victory.
