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Darius Garland leads balanced Cleveland Cavaliers over Indiana Pacers

Chris Goff
·2 min read
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives in front of Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives in front of Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

INDIANAPOLIS — Darius Garland scored 24 points, Isaac Okoro added 20 and the Cleveland Cavaliers made 15 3-pointers Sunday in a 122-103 rout of the Indiana Pacers.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Cavaliers, who shot 52.3% percent from the field, including 15 of 37 (40.5%) from long range, to complement a top-ranked defense that held Indiana to 43.5% shooting.

Jarrett Allen contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds, Evan Mobley had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell added 19 points and six assists for the Cavs. Garland — a Gary, Indiana, native — made four 3s and had six assists.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) dunks in front of Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) dunks in front of Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Myles Turner had 27 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana, which has lost 12 of 14. All-Star Tyrese Hailburton finished with 15 points and 11 assists, while Buddy Hield had 16 points.

After alternating wins and losses over its prior eight games, Cleveland took control in the second quarter, led 62-46 at halftime and stretched its advantage to 23 points in the third quarter and as many as 26 in the fourth.

The Pacers were within 27-25 at the end of the first quarter but couldn't keep up after that.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to dunk but misses in front of Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis (27) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) tries to dunk but misses in front of Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis (27) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Tip-ins

Cavaliers: This was Cleveland’s NBA-best 23rd double-figure victory. ... Caris LeVert, who played parts of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons with the Pacers, sat out his second straight game with a sore right hamstring. He is averaging 12.5 points per game. ... Backup point guard Ricky Rubio finished with seven points and nine assists.

Pacers: Indiana has lost two of the three games in the season series, which wraps up April 2 at Cleveland. ... Reserve guard Chris Duarte, averaging 7.8 points, was out with soreness in his right ankle. ... The Pacers’ high-frequency 3-point attack, which entered fifth in the league in attempts and sixth in makes, wound up 8 of 32 (25%).

Up next

Cavaliers: At Washington on Monday night.

Pacers: At Miami on Wednesday night.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: All five starters score in double figures as Cavs rout Pacers