Cavaliers’ Winning Streak Ends with Loss to Pacers Amid Struggles in Three-Point Shooting

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ impressive 12-game winning streak ended with a 108-93 defeat to the Indiana Pacers. This loss marked their first defeat since December 8th and just their fifth in 38 games this season. The Cavaliers had been at the top of the Eastern Conference, with significant wins against major rivals like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Key players for the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard, and Pascal Siakam, led the charge with 19 and 18 points, respectively, to secure the victory. Nembhard emphasized the team’s focus on physicality and defense to overcome the Cavaliers, who were considered the best team in the league at the time.

A major factor in the Cavaliers’ loss was their poor three-point shooting. Normally, a 40.3% team from beyond the arc only managed 26.8% against the Pacers, making just 11 of 41 attempts. This sharp decline contributed significantly to their defeat.

Reflecting on the game, Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson expressed disappointment with his team’s performance. Despite an excellent defensive first half, the Cavaliers could not sustain their defense in the second half, which ultimately led to their downfall.

NBA Results (12 January)