Cavs roll past Pacers as Mitchell pours in 43 points
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The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated from start to finish in a 135-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, seizing control in the opening minutes and never trailing again.
Donovan Mitchell powered the rout with 43 points in just 34 minutes, repeatedly halting every Pacers push. After Indiana trimmed the margin to six late in the third quarter, the All-Star guard opened the fourth with a personal 5-0 burst that put the game away.
Rookie forward Jaylon Tyson, who had challenged the team’s urgency earlier in the week, backed up his words with 27 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on 10-for-13 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.
Cleveland played without six rotation players — Darius Garland, Max Strus, Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, Larry Nance Jr. and Lonzo Ball — yet still rolled to its most convincing win of the season. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said before tipoff that the roster’s growing frustration signaled a potential breakthrough, and the Cavaliers delivered exactly that.
Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter added 13 points apiece, while rookie guard Tyrese Proctor scored 12. The Cavaliers improved to 13-9 and will open a three-game homestand Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Indiana, now 4-17, was led by Pascal Siakam’s 26 points and Andrew Nembhard’s 21.
Source: Hoops Wire
