CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 120-109 home win over the Indiana Pacers in an NBA Cup game Friday.
1. Darius Garland returned and so did the Cavs’ spacing. It really was as simple as that.
2. Meanwhile, Jaylon Tyson brought back the energy after missing time with a concussion. Tyson also added some timely shooting.
3. With Garland, the Cavs’ offense just got better looks at the basket. It’s what he does. He gets to wherever he wants on the floor and opens it up for everyone else.
4. It was a little bit of a battle in the first half, but eventually, the Cavs found their footing (especially defensively) and blew it open. The Pacers made one final run — but you just knew they wouldn’t get over the hump.
5. Yes, this was a very different Pacers team than the one that eliminated the Cavs from the playoffs. Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is out for the year. Center Myles Turner is now with the Bucks. Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith and others are on the injury list.
6. But the Cavs (11-6) sort of needed a wounded opponent like this. Just to get back into a rhythm. With Garland running the show, it didn’t take long.
7. Four starters finished with at least 20 points. That would be Donovan Mitchell (32), Evan Mobley (22), and Garland and De’Andre Hunter (20 apiece). And Tyson finished with 14 points, shooting an icy 6-of-7 from the floor (including 2-of-3 on threes).
8. Does the offense look a whole lot different with Garland out there? “Oh yeah,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I thought we were able to get downhill. He’s the reason for that.”
9. The Cavs hit 48 percent from the field and 37 percent beyond the arc (13-of-35). With Garland (seven assists) and Lonzo Ball (five assists, seven rebounds) keeping things flowing, everyone just looked more … well, comfortable. It was almost like shooting practice.
10. The same old familiar faces paced Indiana. Andrew Nembhard went for 32. Pascal Siakam scored 26. And Bennedict Mathurin had 21. “We can’t stop those guys,” Atkinson conceded. But right now, the poor Pacers (2-14) simply don’t have enough around them.
11. Nor could they slow down the Cavs. Mitchell was dyn-o-mite with 11-of-22 shooting. Mobley also hauled in 12 rebounds and swatted four shots. It was one of his better all-around showings this season. Hunter went 8-of-16 from the field.
12. Cleveland has one more home game left in this six-in-a-row stretch. That would be none other than the Clippers, another wounded duck, on Sunday. The Cavs again showed that with a close-to-full lineup, they’re again capable of good things.
13. Jarrett Allen (finger) was a late scratch. Sam Merrill (hand) missed his second game in a row. Neither injury is considered overly serious.
14. This game did feature 10 lead changes and nine ties. But again, once the Cavs turned it on, it was basically over. The Pacers’ biggest lead was two points. The Cavs’ was 22.
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