Matchup
The Pacers have opened up their six-game homestand the right way, winning both of their first two games.
On Monday, Indiana (14-11) took advantage of an undermanned Knicks squad to snap a two-game losing streak. Against the Bulls on Wednesday, Indiana needed a heroic late 3-pointer from Victor Oladipo, who pulled up on the fastbreak and stole a victory from the struggling Chicago squad.
But come Friday, Indiana faces one of its toughest tests of the season: a rolling Cleveland Cavaliers (18-7) team that has won 13 in a row after a desultory start to their season.
The seemingly ageless LeBron James enters Friday night on pace for one of his most statistically dominant seasons of his career. The 13-time All-Star is now averaging 28 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and shooting 41.6 percent from 3-point range.
James' spectacular play has lifted Cleveland out of an early season morass which included a dominating Pacers win at Quicken Loans Arena on November 1st.
The Pacers enter Friday's test against a division rival on a solid stretch of play as well, having won eight of their last 11 contests.
Indiana's 3-point shooting has been a key to its success all season long. The Pacers have knocked down 40 percent of their threes this year, the second best mark in the league, trailing only the Golden State Warriors.
Projected Starters
Darren Collison
Victor Oladipo
Bojan Bogdanovic
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
Jose Calderon
JR Smith
Jae Crowder
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Pacers: PG - Darren Collison, SG - Victor Oladipo, SF - Bojan Bogdanovic, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Cavaliers: PG - Jose Calderon, SG - JR Smith, SF - Jae Crowder, PF - LeBron James, C - Kevin Love
Injury Report
Pacers: Myles Turner - questionable (sore right calf), Cory Joseph - questionable (sore left shoulder), Glenn Robinson III - out (left ankle surgery rehabilitation), Edmond Sumner - out (left knee surgery rehabilitation)
Cavaliers: Derrick Rose - out (left ankle sprain), Iman Shumpert - out (left knee arthroscopic surgery), Isaiah Thomas - out (right hip), Tristan Thompson - out (left calf strain)
On April 11, 2012, the Pacers began a nine-game win streak against the Cavaliers that would last until March 2014. Furthermore, the Cavs only won three games from 2010-15 against the Pacers.
Last Meeting
November 1, 2017: On the second night of a back-to-back, playing against a well-rested Cavaliers team, the Pacers notched their biggest win of the season, toppling the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers 124-107 at Quicken Loans Arena.
"Our guys executed offensively," explained Pacers head coach Nate McMillan. "We moved the ball and got it to the open man. We played the game the right way. We talk about that all the time, you play the game the right way and normally good things happen."
Domantas Sabonis set a career high with six assists on the night, and point guard Darren Collison went 9-of-10 from the field, drilling all three of his attempts from long range.
Noteworthy
- Point guard Darren Collison was teammates at UCLA with Cavaliers forward Kevin Love.
- The all-time series between the two teams is tied at 95. The Pacers lead the series 59-34 in games played in Indiana.
- Victor Oladipo is averaging a career-best 23.3 points per game. His previous career high was 17.9 during his second season with Orlando.
Tickets
The Pacers continue their six-game homestand with a matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 PM ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. 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: 107.5 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.
Pacers Team Store Game Night Special
Pacers Footed Pajamas - $30. The Game Night Special can be purchased at the Pacers Team Store on game day as well as online from 10:00 AM-Midnight. Order Online