CLEVELAND, Ohio — It was billed as an Eastern Conference semifinal rematch — albeit with both teams looking different.
This time, the revamped Cavs took six months of anger and humiliation out on the depleted Indiana Pacers, 120-109, at Rocket Arena on Friday night.
The victory also gives Cleveland its second in the NBA Cup, keeping hope alive for a potential wild card berth.
More than six months ago, the heavily favored Cavs walked off the court shattered and devastated following a 4-1 series loss to the Pacers — a setback that led to weeks of soul-searching, slight roster modifications (Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr. and Tyrese Proctor) and a few stylistic adjustments.
The Pacers changed too. Only not entirely by choice.
Two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton (torn Achilles), swingman Aaron Nesmith (knee sprain) and Obi Toppin (foot stress fracture) — a trio of playoff nemeses — are sidelined with injury. Myles Turner is in Milwaukee, signing with the Bucks as an unrestricted free agent following Indiana’s marvelous Finals run. Sporadically used energetic big man Thomas Bryant is on the opposite bench as a member of the Cavaliers.
A one-time postseason irritant, the Pacers are a shell of their former selves — the speedy, tough, tenacious, unrelenting and merciless team that terrorized Cleveland and turned its title dreams into a nightmare.
Friday was different. In nearly every way.
Different stage. Different stakes. Different teams. Different result.
It looked — and felt — nothing like spring.
The first quarter was competitive. It featured six lead changes and seven ties — a quarter played within two possessions for all 12 minutes.
After Cleveland opened the second on a lively 6-0 run, scrappy Indiana battled back — and the game remained close until around the midway point of the third quarter when the Cavs started overwhelming the lottery bound Pacers and extended their lead to a game-high 22.
Cleveland answered every potential Indiana run from there, punctuating the triumph with a thunderous Evan Mobley dunk at the 1:12 mark that ignited the sellout crowd and caused Pacers coach Rick Carlisle to empty his bench.
Darius Garland, returning from a five-game absence caused by a problematic toe, helped jumpstart Cleveland’s offense.
He finished with 20 points and seven assists in 27 minutes. Mobley recorded a double-double, tallying 22 points and 12 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell led all Cavaliers with 32 points on 11 of 22 from the field and 4 of 11 from 3-point range to go with nine rebounds and five assists.
Jaylon Tyson, out of concussion protocol, was back in the starting lineup as well. He contributed 14 points in 27 minutes.
The Pacers, just 2-14 and winless on the road, were led by Andrew Nembhard who poured in 32 points. Pascal Siakam added 26.
Prior to the game, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about what he learned from last year’s playoff flameout. He wouldn’t go into detail, saying his focus was on this year’s team. He even downplayed the primetime matchup.
But the Cavs will never forget the pain of last spring. It’s their fuel. A harsh teaching moment.
How much they learned won’t be determined for months.
But for one night, they will take the win — and a small dose of retribution.
**Up next**
The Cavs will continue their homestand on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Tipoff set for 6 p.m.
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