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Johnny Furphy produced arguably his best game yet this season. But it wasn’t enough as the Indiana Pacers suffered a franchise-record 13th-straight loss at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Furphy narrowly missed out on his first NBA double-double, registering nine points, a career-high 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 31 minutes in his fifth career start.
The second-year Aussie wing shot 4-of-6 from the field with one three and finished as a +3 plus/minus.
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However the Pacers faded in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s contest to fall 120-116 at home (all times AEDT).
The Cavaliers surged ahead with an 11-0 run in the fourth term that Indiana had no answers for.
Darius Garland scored 14 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth term on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the field to guide a Cleveland team playing without Donovan Mitchell to victory as it improved to 21-17.
The Pacers slid to 6-31 — the worst record in the entire NBA. It continued a grim turnaround just seven months on from Indiana playing in the NBA Finals, with a slew of injuries since Tyrese Haliburton was struck down with a torn Achilles tendon in the championship series.
Johnny Furphy goes up for a huge slam (Photo by Michael Hickey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
Johnny Furphy pulls down a rebound (AP Photo/AJ Mast)Source: AP
Now the franchise is navigating its biggest ever losing streak after it’d dropped 12-straight games four other times — but never 13-consecutive defeats.
Despite this, Wednesday’s game was a big step forward for Furphy after an injury disrupted start to his season.
Furphy hadn’t played any more than 23 minutes in his 18 appearances so far this campaign as Indiana carefully manages the 21-year old back from a long-term ankle issue
Johnny Furphy guards Darius Garland (AP Photo/AJ Mast)Source: AP
He started the game particularly hot, with his ability to crash the boards a key feature. He had five points and eight rebounds in 17 minutes to half-time.
It included a highlight play in the first quarter where Furphy forced a steal and threw down a huge fast break dunk that ignited fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Even Haliburton got hyped for the Aussie from the Indiana bench.
The Pacers held Cleveland to just 22 points in the first quarter in a strong defensive showing and led 60-53 at the main break.
“Our second quarters are a big emphasis for us, I think we’ve been lacking a little bit. So we made sure everyone brought the energy in the second quarter and it’s going to start on the defensive end,” Furphy said at half-time.
It came after Indiana coach Rick Carlisle emphasised rebounding against a big Cavaliers team that starts two centres in Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen.
“(Rebounding was) a big emphasis also, all of them are going to crash, so we’ve got to be extra switched on,” Furpy added.
**_ALL RESULTS_**
**Cavaliers 120** Pacers 116
Magic 112 **Wizards 120**
Spurs - Grizzlies
Heat - Timberwolves
Lakers - Pelicans
Mavericks - Kings