Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game Overview
The Indiana Pacers will finish 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-ranked 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 playoffs.
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The Pacers have a 2-0 lead over the Cavs in the regular season after facing them twice in the first two weeks of the season. With a victory on Monday, the Pacers can secure their first regular season series against the Cavs since the 2020-2021 season.
Indiana enters the game winner of three of its last four games, including one 121-100 Victory Saturday night against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Pacers have relied on a much-improved defense in recent games to pick up wins. The Blue & Gold have allowed 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 each night and center Myles Turner is averaging 18.5 points and 6.3 rebounds. Siakam is coming off an exceptional game this weekend, finishing with 28 points and 11 rebounds against the Nets.
Cleveland has found another gear since the start of the calendar year but has struggled in recent weeks.
Since January 1, the Cavs are 24-11, including a 17-2 stretch from January 1 to February 12. Despite their success in 2024, the Cavs have lost three of their last four games, including a 117-103 loss at the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
The Cavs have once again established themselves as one of the best defensive teams in the league. As of Sunday, the Cavs ranked third in defensive rating (110.8), behind the Boston Celtics (110.4) and Minnesota Timberwolves (108.3).
Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell remains his team’s primary offensive threat, averaging 27.7 points per game on 47 percent shooting, but he may not play Monday. Mitchell told reporters Saturday that he “probably” won’t play in Indiana, but his status is questionable as he recovers from a knee injury.
Mitchell torched the Pacers this season, scoring 40 points in the first game and 38 in the second despite losing both games.
If Mitchell doesn’t go, former Pacer Caris Lavert, who averages 13.8 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, would likely take his spot in the starting five.
Following Mitchell, speedy point guard Darius Garland scores 19.0 points per game, along with 6.3 assists, and center Jarrett Allen scores 16.2 while putting up 10.7 per game.
The Cavs could also be without 6-foot-11 defensive stalwart Evan Mobley on Monday. In his third season, Mobley averaged 15.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. Isaac Okoro started in place of Mobley in the last few games.
In his last four games against the Pacers, Mobley has recorded a double-double.
After hosting the Cavs, the Pacers will begin a five-game road trip in the Motor City on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons.
Projected starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Myles Turner
Riders: G – Darius Garland, G – Donovan Mitchell, 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)
Last meeting
November 3, 2023: Indiana held off a late Cleveland rally to earn a 121-116 victory in the in-season tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was the Pacers’ second win over the Cavs in six days.
After the Pacers led 70-49 at halftime, the Cavs fought back to take a four-point lead into the fourth quarter. However, the Pacers ultimately held on down the stretch losing 33 points in the final 12 minutes.
Pacers center Myles Turner scored 27 points, point guard Tyrese Haliburton recorded 18 points and 13 assists, and Bruce Brown (now on the Toronto Raptors) had 19 points and seven rebounds. Donovan Mitchell led 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 was the difference, as the Pacers made 15 3-pointers to the Cavs’ eight threes. The Pacers won the rebounding margin 40-35 but had 19 turnovers compared to 13 giveaways for the Cavs.
Outstanding
- Myles Turner needs six blocks to break Jermaine O’Neal’s Paceras 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 Programs >>)
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)
The Pacers conclude their homestand by hosting Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m. ET. Find tickets >>
