Pacers halt Cavs win run; Nembhard lauds ‘connected’ defense
The Indiana Pacers halt the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak on Sunday by pulling off a 108-93 road victory.
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PACERS HALT CLEVELAND’S 12-GAME WINNING STREAK WITH IMPRESSIVE ROAD WIN
The Pacers halt the Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak by posting the impressive victory in Cleveland (33-5).
Furthermore, Andrew Nembhard led a balanced attack with 19 points, while Pascal Siakam had 18 points for Indiana.
Moreover, Myles Turner turned up with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Jarace Walker stepped up with eight points and 12 points in a reserve role the Pacers.
It was a the first of a home-and-home set for both teeams.
The Pacers hope to repeat the feat when they host the Cavs in Indianapolis on Tuesday night.
NEMBHARD LAUDS INDIANA’S ‘CONNECTED’ DEFENSE, PHYSICALITY TO STIFLE CLEVELAND
Nembhard later lauded Indiana’s “connected” defense and physicality to stifle the Cavs before their home fans.
Moreover, the Pacers limited the Cavaliers to a season low in points.
Furthermore, Indiana also outscored Cleveland, 68-40, in the second half, to impress on both ends.
“There was nothing to lose, this is the best team in the league right now,” Nembhard told FanDuel Sports Network as reported by ESPN.
“We had to play hard, play together, and put some more physicality in the game on the defensive side of the ball, and play off of that,” he added.
‘DISAPPOINTED’ CAVS COACH POINTS OUT SUBPAR SECOND HALF DEFENSE IN LOSS
A “disappoointed Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson pointed out his team’s subpar second defense led to their defeat.
Furthermore, Atkinson recalled the Cavs performing well in the first half before everything “fell off” in the last 24 minutes of the match.
Moreover, the loss was just Cleveland’s first since December 8 at Miami.
“What disappointed me was our first half was phenomenalk, defensively, and then the second half, we fell off,” Atkinson said.
“So, we couldn’t sustain our defense. Just disppointed,” he added.
Darius Garland finished with 20 points and seven assists, Donovan Mitchell scored 19, while Evan Mobley had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, who are 20-2 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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