Cleveland Cavaliers’ Winning Streak Snapped by Indiana Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ impressive 12-game winning streak ended on Sunday night with a 108-93 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Despite their recent dominance, including notable wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, the Cavaliers struggled to maintain their form against an energized Pacers team.

Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 19 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed 18 points, helping their team overcome the Eastern Conference leaders. This defeat marked Cleveland’s first loss since December 8 and just their fifth of the season, with their record now standing at an impressive 33-5.

Nembhard Praises Team Effort

Nembhard emphasized the mindset that drove the Pacers to victory. “There was nothing to lose; this is the best team in the league right now,” he said. “We had to play hard, stay together, and bring more physicality on defense. That set the tone for us.”

Struggles from Beyond the Arc

A key factor in the Cavaliers’ loss was their poor three-point shooting. Known for their accuracy this season at 40.3% from beyond the arc, they managed just 11 of 41 attempts (26.8%) against the Pacers. This sharp decline in shooting efficiency hindered Cleveland’s ability to stay competitive in the second half.

Atkinson Reflects on Defensive Drop-Off

Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson highlighted the team’s inability to sustain their defensive performance. “What disappointed me was our first half was phenomenal, defensively, and then the second half, we fell off. We couldn’t sustain our defense,” Atkinson explained.

Other NBA Results – 12 January

  • Detroit Pistons 123-114 Toronto Raptors
  • Minnesota Timberwolves 125-127 Memphis Grizzlies
  • Portland Trail Blazers 98-119 Miami Heat
  • NY Knicks 140-106 Milwaukee Bucks
  • Dallas Mavericks 101-112 Denver Nuggets
  • Washington Wizards 95-136 Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic 104-99 Philadelphia 76ers
  • Boston Celtics 120-119 New Orleans Pelicans

The Cavaliers will aim to bounce back quickly as they look to maintain their position atop the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Pacers’ victory serves as a reminder of the competitive depth in the league this season.