IMPORTANT NOTE: Doors will open at 5:30 PM for Wednesday's game.
Matchup
Riding a seven-game win streak, the red-hot Indiana Pacers (29-22) face a stiff test on Wednesday night, when they will welcome LeBron James and the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers (35-15) to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Pacers defeated the Cavaliers in their first visit to The Fieldhouse back on Nov. 16, though James sat out the game, resting on the second night of a back-to-back. It was the third time in the last three seasons that James was held out of a game in Indianapolis for rest purposes.
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On Monday night, the Pacers struggled offensively against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they still managed to find a way to come away with a win.
Paul George scored a team-high 21 points, but he was just 1-for-8 from the field in the first half and 7-for-20 on the night. Myles Turner, battling illness went just 3-for-12. Jeff Teague had just three assists, snapping a streak of 18 straight games in which he had dished out at least seven dimes.
Nonetheless, Indiana was able to grind out a win on the defensive end, especially after halftime. The Pacers held the Thunder to just 38 second-half points on 13-of-43 (30.2 percent) shooting, while also forcing the Thunder into 11 turnovers over the final two quarters.
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The Cavaliers are also coming off of a hard-fought Monday night win, a thrilling 140-135 overtime victory on the road in Washington.
James had 32 points and 17 assists and banked in a turnaround 3-pointer to force overtime in Washington, only to foul out in the extra session. It didn't matter, though, as Kevin Love (39 points and 12 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (23 points and five assists) made play after play down the stretch to lift Cleveland to the win.
Cleveland isn't on the second leg of a back-to-back this time around, so expect James and the rest of the Cavaliers to be ready to go in this Central Division showdown.
Projected Starters
Jeff Teague
Paul George
C.J. Miles
Lavoy Allen
Myles Turner
Kyrie Irving
DeAndre Liggins
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Tristan Thompson
Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Paul George, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Lavoy Allen, C - Myles Turner
Cavaliers: PG - Kyrie Irving, SG - DeAndre Liggins, SF - LeBron James, PF - Kevin Love, C - Tristan Thompson
Injury Report
Pacers: Thaddeus Young - questionable (sprained left wrist)
Cavaliers: Chris Andersen - out (right knee ACL tear), J.R. Smith - out (right thumb fracture), Iman Shumpert - out (left ankle sprain)
Last Meeting
Novemebr 16, 2016: The Pacers jumped out to an early lead over the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers and stayed in front the rest of the way in a 103-93 win over the defending champions at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Paul George recorded his first double-double of the season, finishing with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Jeff Teague added 20 points and eight assists in the win, while Thaddeus Young chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds.
Kevin Love led all scorers with 27 points and 16 rebounds, both season highs. Kyrie Irving added 24 points and seven assists in the loss.
"We needed a win, we weren't worried who was going to be on the floor for them," Teague said. "We were just going to go out there and compete. They've got talented players. Kyrie, Kevin, Channing Frye, these guys have made big shots for them time after time."
Noteworthy
- The Pacers have won 12 of their last 13 home games against the Cavaliers, though LeBron James has only played in one of those wins.
- Indiana is 94-88 all-time against Cleveland, including a 59-31 record at home.
- The Pacers are 6-3 on the season against Central Division opponents. Cleveland is just 3-5 in divisional games.
Tickets
The Pacers close out a three-game homestand against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets »
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.
St. Vincent Game Night
Pacers fans, stop by the St. Vincent table when the Pacers take on the Cavaliers on February 8. Meet Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings, register to win a Paul George basketball, pick up St. Vincent swag and more. And the first 4,000 fans will receive a megaphone courtesy of St. Vincent and the Indiana Pacers.
St. Vincent, the best heart care in Indiana.
Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
T-Shirt/Hat Combo Pack - $25. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.
Construction Notes: Due to construction taking place, N. Pennsylvania Street will be closed from E. Vermont Street through E. New York Street. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes from E. North Street to E. Michigan Street. With expected downtown traffic this evening, be sure to plan for extra travel time.
The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is no longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St.
In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.