Monday, March 18 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game Preview
The Indiana Pacers will wrap up their final three-game homestand of the season against a team they could see again in late April.
In a matchup between the sixth- and third-place teams in the Eastern Conference, Indiana (38-30) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (42-25) on Monday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. If the playoffs started today, the Pacers and Cavs would meet in the first round of the postseason.
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The Pacers have a 2-0 regular-season series lead over the Cavs after playing them twice in the first two weeks of the season. With a win on Monday, the Pacers can secure their first regular-season series over the Cavs since the 2020-2021 season.
Indiana enters the game winners of three of their last four games, including a 121-100 Saturday night victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
The Pacers have relied on a much-improved defense in recent games to get wins. The Blue & Gold have given up 117 points or fewer in regulation in their last four games and 100 points or fewer in two of those contests.
Indiana’s stars have shined during the recent stretch. Point guard Tyrese Haliburton has scored 17.3 points, 9.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds over the last four games, forward Pascal Siakam has recorded 20.8 points and 9.5 rebounds nightly, and center Myles Turner is averaging 18.5 points and 6.3 rebounds. Siakam is coming off an outstanding game over the weekend, finishing with 28 points and 11 rebounds against the Nets.
Cleveland has found another gear since the turn of the calendar year but has struggled in recent weeks.
Since Jan. 1, the Cavs have a record of 24-11, which included a 17-2 streak from Jan. 1 to Feb. 12. Despite their successes in 2024, the Cavs have lost three of their last four games, including a 117-103 defeat at the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
The Cavs have again established themselves as one of the top defensive teams in the league. As of Sunday, the Cavs ranked third overall in defensive rating (110.8), trailing just the Boston Celtics (110.4) and Minnesota Timberwolves (108.2).
Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell remains the top offensive threat for his squad, averaging 27.4 points per game on 46.8 percent shooting, but he may not play on Monday. Mitchell told reporters on Saturday he “probably” would not play in Indiana, but his status is questionable as he recovers from a knee injury.
Mitchell has torched the Pacers this season, scoring 40 points in the first game and 38 in the second despite losing both contests.
If Mitchell doesn’t go, former Pacer Caris LeVert, who is averaging 13.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, would likely take his spot in the first five.
After Mitchell, speedy point guard Darius Garland is scoring 18.8 points per game, along with 6.3 assists, and center Jarrett Allen is scoring 16.1 while grabbing 10.6 per game.
The Cavs could also be without 6-foot-11 defensive stalwart Evan Mobley on Monday. In his third season, Mobley is averaging 15.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. Isaac Okoro has started in Mobley’s stead in recent games.
In his last four games against the Pacers, Mobley has recorded a double-double.
After hosting the Cavs, the Pacers will kick off a five-game road trip on Wednesday in the Motor City against the Detroit Pistons.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner
Cavaliers: G - Darius Garland, G - Caris LeVert, F - Georges Niang, F - Isaac Okoro, C - Jarrett Allen
Injury Report
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin - out (right shoulder labral tear), Doug McDermott - out (right calf strain)
Cavaliers: Dean Wade - doubtful (sore right knee), Ty Jerome - out (right ankle surgery), Donovan Mitchell - out (nasal fracture), Evan Mobley - out (left ankle sprain), Max Strus - out (right knee strain)
Last Meeting
Nov. 3, 2023: Indiana held off a late Cleveland rally to post a 121-116 In-Season Tournament win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The win was the Pacers' second over the Cavs in six days.
After the Pacers led 70-49 at half, the Cavs battled back to take a four-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, the Pacers ultimately held on down the final stretch by dropping 33 points in the final 12 minutes.
Pacers center Myles Turner scored 27 points, point guard Tyrese Haliburton logged 18 points and 13 assists, and Bruce Brown (now on the Toronto Raptors) chipped in 19 points and seven rebounds. Donovan Mitchell topped the Cavs with 38 points, and Evan Mobley recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams shot 52 percent from the field, but deep shooting made a difference, as the Pacers hit 15 3-pointers to the Cavs’ eight threes. The Pacers won the rebounding margin 40-35 but had 19 turnovers to the Cavs’ 13 giveaways.
Noteworthy
- Myles Turner needs six blocks to break Jermaine O’Neal’s Pacers franchise record for career blocks (1,245).
- Rick Carlisle has 934 career wins as an NBA head coach. He is one win away from tying Dick Motta for 13th all-time.
- The Pacers and Cavs will conclude their regular season series on April 12 in Cleveland.
- Pacers forward Doug McDermott has missed nine straight games with a calf injury.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers wrap up their homestand by welcoming Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, March 18 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>