INDIANAPOLIS: LeBron James was stifled throughout the second half Monday night, but came up with key baskets and a big offensive rebound when the Cavaliers needed it most.
James had 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists and the Cavs held on for an ugly 111-106 overtime win against the Pacers, ending a 10-game losing streak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Prior to Monday, the Cavs hadn’t won here since Jan. 29, 2010 — when Kyrie Irving was still in high school. Irving had 25 points and seven assists in his first career win here and Kevin Love added 19 points, eight rebounds and a big block in overtime.
The Cavs survived on a night turnovers and the Pacers’ offensive rebounds really hurt them, but Indiana’s offense broke down twice in late game situations. The Pacers totaled 46 points off second-chance opportunities and Cavs turnovers after they grabbed 17 offensive rebounds (all in regulation), the most the Cavs have allowed an opponent this season.
James came up with his own crucial offensive rebound following an Irving missed 3-point attempt in the final minute of overtime. The Pacers were forced to foul and Irving converted both for a 109-106 lead with 14 seconds left.
The Pacers had a chance to tie, but a clumsy possession ended with George Hill missing an off-balance jumper from the wing and James grabbed the rebound.
The Pacers had a chance to win it in regulation, but Monta Ellis dribbled the clock down from 21 seconds to four before initiating. He settled for a contested jumper that wasn’t even close while hardly anyone else on the court moved.
It was an odd ending to a difficult night for the Cavs, particularly in the second half. James’ only basket of the second half gave the Cavs a 94-93 lead with 1:15 left. But Hill countered with an open 3-pointer from the wing on the Pacers’ ensuing possession and Irving re-tied the game at 96 with a jumper from the free-throw line.
The Cavs could’ve had the final possession of regulation after Hill’s jumper was short, but Love was called for a foul for grabbing Lavoy Allen while fighting for rebounding position with 21 seconds left.
That gave the Pacers the final possession to win the game with the shot clock turned off, but Ellis couldn’t convert.
The Cavs raced out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter and still led by 11 at halftime before giving it all back in the third. They managed one basket through the first four minutes of the second half and the Pacers ultimately tied the game for the first time with five minutes left in the third.
Paul George managed 11 points and eight assists on a 3-of-15 shooting night. George was blocked at the rim in overtime by Love coming out of a pick-and-roll, one of a handful of defensive plays Love made in the game.
Hill scored 23 points for the Pacers and Myles Turner had 14 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.