Pacers end Cavs’ 13-game winning streak
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Love him or hate him, it’s always a special night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse when LeBron James rolls into town. It’s even more special when the Pacers come out on the winning side. Fans got their money’s worth on Friday night, as the Pacers ended Cleveland’s 13-game winning streak, with a final score of 106-102.
Victor Oladipo continued to look like an All-Star, leading the Pacers with 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and once again, the game’s biggest shot.
The Pacers led by just three points with just over a minute left in the game, and Oladipo struck again.
We’ve seen this movie play out three times this season:
Huge Oladipo three.
The “this is my city” point.
Crowd goes wild.
Pacers win.
“I’m just trying to be aggressive and make plays,” Oladipo said. “We did a great job as a team going out there and getting a win. I wasn’t perfect, but then again, who is?”
Oladipo scored 25 of his 33 points in the second half, leading the Pacers to another impressive victory.
Coach Nate McMillan reiterated what he’s said a lot lately: “In situations like that, you’re going to put the ball in your best guy’s hands and allow him to create offense for you. He is now seeing the best defender each night. So, learning how to play and be consistent every night is something he’s going through, and it’s not going to change him.”
It had been nearly a month since Cleveland’s last defeat. LeBron James scored 29 points to go along with 10 rebounds and eight assists, but his team fell to 0-2 against the Pacers this season.
LeBron James on Oladipo and the Pacers- pic.twitter.com/C6e67IMjDy
— Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith_ISL) December 9, 2017
“It’s always tough to play in this building,” James said. “Since my first year, all the way to the playoffs and regular season games. It was a great streak, but streaks are meant to be broken.”
The Pacers led 89-86 after three quarters, which led to a bizarre final 12 minutes. These teams only combined for 33 total points in the fourth quarter, with the Pacers outscoring Cleveland 17-16.
After allowing seven offensive rebounds in the first half, the Pacers didn’t allow another offensive rebound until late in the fourth quarter. The better effort on the glass helped the Pacers survive a poor shooting night from the foul-line (15-of-24).
Despite the big win, Victor Oladipo wanted to keep things in perspective. “It’s just one game,” he said. “I’m not satisfied by any means and neither is this team. Our best days are ahead of us.”
Indiana (15-11) has started a long home-stand 3-0 and will host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.
KEY STATS-
-Oladipo tied his career-high with six 3-pointers.
-Oladipo scored 20 points in the third quarter, the most by any Pacers player in a quarter this season.
-Myles Turner scored in double-figures for the seventh straight game. He raised his NBA-leading block total to 47.
-The Pacers are now 12-2 this season when they make at least 10 3-point field goals.
I can't believe OKC only got Paul George in the Victor Oladipo trade. 😉
— Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith_ISL) December 9, 2017
Victor Oladipo sends Kevin Love flying, then reminds Indiana Paul George is a fictional character pic.twitter.com/JSPD0bFvsE
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) December 9, 2017
Oladipo genuinely loves the fans and this city. pic.twitter.com/2H8A9L1ARF
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) December 9, 2017
