Cavs Rise at Right Time, Use Star Performances to Avenge Loss vs. Pacers

January 14, 2025

If there’s one thing the rest of the NBA is learning, it’s that you can’t keep these Cavaliers down for long.

Just two days after watching their 12-game winning streak get snapped by the Pacers, the Cavs responded in impressive fashion, beating Indiana 127-117 on Tuesday night in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It snapped a six-game win streak for the Pacers (22-19).

And while many questioned how the Cavs would bounce back, they reminded us of just how dangerous they can be when their stars align.

Donovan Mitchell, the engine that drives this Cleveland offense, was in full throttle from the jump. After a tough stretch in early January where he failed to hit the 20-point mark in four consecutive games, Mitchell silenced any concerns by putting up 35 points on 12-of-23 shooting.

The man was simply on fire, hitting three of nine from beyond the arc and dropping 19 in the first quarter alone. He’s also been selflessly playing the role of facilitator this season, helping elevate guys like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. But Tuesday night? Mitchell was back, reminding everyone why he’s an MVP candidate.

Garland finished with 24 points and seven assists, including 13 in the clutch fourth quarter to seal the deal.

Meanwhile, Mobley recorded his 12th 20-10 game of the season with 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Cavs’ bigs were active, as Jarrett Allen chipped in with 16 points and nine rebounds. Max Strus, who struggled mightily in the loss to the Pacers on Sunday, responded with 13 points off the bench.

Well, it’s a Cavalanche, as Cavs up 15. Pacers struggling with that zone in the third quarter. Cavs haven’t blinked offensively.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) January 15, 2025

Even with Indiana making a game of it in the first half — thanks to a valiant effort without Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) — the Cavs never panicked.

They responded with a fairly dominant 38-28 third quarter, which was nothing short of a complete turnaround from the disaster that was Sunday’s third period, where they were outscored by 19 points.

Coach Kenny Atkinson had made it clear — the third quarter needed fixing, and his team delivered this time in a big way.

Thursday, January 30: The Atlanta at Cleveland game will now be televised by TNT and change time to 7 PM ET.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) January 14, 2025

Atkinson, by the way, has really thrived in these back-to-back matchups. Of course, when you’re 34-5, you thrive about 90 percent of the time, regardless of the situation.

For the Cavaliers, it’s now on to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder, for Round 2 of the best in the NBA vs. the best of the West.