Short-handed Cavs rally by depleted Pacers, but sharpness still elusive

The Cavaliers got another win. That part counts. The rest? Eh. Still a little clunky.

Donovan Mitchell did what stars do, pouring in 38 points, including 23 in the second half, to carry the Cavs past a depleted Indiana Pacers squad, 117-108, on Sunday at Rocket Arena.

Mitchell added six rebounds and six assists and lived in the paint, scoring a career-high 28 inside.

James Harden wasn’t far behind. Twenty-eight points, seven assists, five triples. Classic step-back, whistle-hunting, control-the-game stuff. The backcourt combined for 66 points and 13 assists. That’s the good news.

The not-so-good? The Cavs needed all of it, against a team missing basically everyone.

No Pascal Siakam. No Andrew Nembhard. No Aaron Nesmith. No Tyrese Haliburton. No real rotation to speak of. Indiana dressed nine guys and still led at halftime, 58-55. At one point, the Pacers were up 12 after hitting eight threes in the first half.

That’s been a theme. The Cavs win, but they don’t exactly overwhelm.

That said, there were some useful contributions. Thomas Bryant stepped in for the resting bigs and delivered 14 points and 10 rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting. Keon Ellis added 13 and hit three triples. Larry Nance Jr. chipped in across the board. Even Nae’Qwan Tomlin knocked down a big fourth-quarter three to give the Cavs the lead for good.

Still, they didn’t grab control until late. They didn’t take their first lead until the third and needed a 99-96 edge early in the fourth just to settle things.

They’re 49-29 now. Closing in on home court. Winning games. Just not exactly scaring anyone.

That’s the balance right now. Productive. Effective. But with the playoffs around the corner, you’d like to see a little more dominance, especially against a team that, frankly, is just trying to get this thing over with. The Pacers (18-60) are like a lot of the Cavs’ opponents lately — eyes forward, foot on the gas pedal, racing toward the draft lottery.

Up next? More of the same vibe. Another non-contender Monday in Memphis.

We’ll see if the Cavs flip the switch, or keep grinding like this.

• BOX SCORE | Cavs 117, Pacers 108
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