Cleveland CavaliersOpen full analysis
Indiana PacersOpen full analysis
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers 135–119 on December 1 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with Donovan Mitchell's 43 points leading a balanced offensive attack. Mitchell was complemented by Jarrett Tyson's 27 points as Cleveland shot 51 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers, exceeding the Vegas total line of 230.5 combined points by 23.5. The Cavaliers' depth was evident in their 27 assists and 48 rebounds, while their defense held Indiana to a 117.5 offensive rating despite the Pacers' Pascal Siakam (26 points) and Andrew Nembhard (21 points) efforts. Indiana shot just 48.2 percent and made only 10 threes, committing 14 turnovers against Cleveland's disciplined 8. Cleveland's dominance was particularly pronounced in the opening quarter, when they scored 37 points, setting the tone early. The Cavaliers' 135.3 offensive rating and stingy 117.5 defensive rating underscore their two-way efficiency in a wire-to-wire victory that reinforces their standing atop the Eastern Conference.
