INDIANAPOLIS — Nothing comes easy for the Cavs these days.
Not even against the NBA’s worst team — a shell of the Pacers roster that tossed Cleveland out of the playoffs this past spring and entered the night riding a 12-game losing skid.
Despite being behind for most of the game, the Cavs rallied in the fourth quarter to escape Indiana with a 120-116 win that allowed them to avoid another dose of embarrassment.
Playing without All-Star hopeful and leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland got off to a sluggish start. It went down by nine points early and trailed for about eight of the 12 first-quarter minutes.
The Cavs, with the league’s worst second quarter net rating, picked up their play in the second, even taking a brief lead around the five-minute mark of the period. It lasted just 28 seconds. The Cavs were outscored 17-8 to finish the quarter, with the Pacers going ahead by seven at the break.
It was nine-point Indiana advantage entering the fourth.
Would the Pacers break Cleveland’s heart again?
Darius Garland to the rescue.
The Cavs used a 10-2 run over the first two-plus minutes to cut the lead to one. Then they went in front for the first time in the second half with 7:51 remaining.
Even though Indiana scored the next five to quickly reclaim the advantage, a clutch Garland jumper gave the Cavs the lead for good, holding off a late-game rally from the feisty Pacers who got as close as one in the final minutes.
Garland led all scorers with 29 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter while shaking off a back injury.
Evan Mobley added 20 points while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill had 19 apiece. Craig Porter Jr., playing a short drive from where he grew up, tallied eight points, nine assists and nine rebounds in 28 impactful minutes off the bench. Dean Wade, who returned from a two-game absence because of a knee contusion, re-injured that same knee and did not play in the second half.
The Pacers, who continue to be without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (foot), Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) and Isaiah Jackson (concussion), got 22 points from Pascal Siakam. Center Jay Huff chipped in with 20 points on 7 of 10 shooting.
Prior to the game, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson spoke with belief about his team at some point catching a wave and finding themselves.
Tuesday is probably not what he had in mind. But Cleveland found a way. It’s building quite a reputation as a resilient, comeback team, ripping away another victory that seemed like a loss.
**Up next**
The Cavs will continue this two-game road trip with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.