The Cleveland Cavaliers saw their impressive 12-game winning streak come to an end Sunday night as the Indiana Pacers delivered a commanding 108-93 victory.
The Cavs won’t have to wait long for payback though, as they head to Indianapolis Tuesday for the second half of this home-and-home series.
For Cleveland, this marked their first defeat since December 8 in Miami – a rare slip for a team that’s been practically unstoppable this season, posting a stellar 33-5 record and dominating at home with a 20-2 mark.
You can bet the Cavaliers will be looking to make a statement in the rematch.
Donovan Mitchell kept things short and sweet on social media ahead of Tuesday’s matchup, simply posting “Let Em Know.”
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 14, 2025
The All-Star guard finished Sunday’s game with 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting (3-7 from deep, 2-2 at the line), adding three rebounds, an assist and two steals across 31 minutes.
Since returning from his rest day Thursday, Mitchell’s scoring touch hasn’t quite found its rhythm.
He’s now gone four straight games without cracking 20 points – his longest such streak this season.
During this stretch, his numbers tell the story: 16.0 points, 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 threes, and 1.0 steals while shooting a modest 38.3 percent.
While Mitchell has scaled back his scoring this year to create a more balanced Cavaliers offense, a scoring outburst could be just what he needs to get back on track.
This Cleveland team is drawing comparisons to the Warriors’ dynasty years, and it’s easy to see why.
Sharpshooters Sam Merrill and Max Strus provide deadly accuracy from beyond the arc, while Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley form an intimidating defensive wall in the paint.
Add the dynamic offensive duo of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, and you’ve got a recipe for dominance.
Barring any major setbacks, the Cavaliers look poised to secure that coveted top seed.
And with extra motivation fueling them, don’t be surprised if they even the score against the Pacers this time around.
NEXT: Brian Windhorst Says Something Interesting Happened With Cavs This Season
