The Cleveland Cavaliers were walking on the clouds last week.
They had just taken down the second-best team in the NBA, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder to make a statement in a nationally televised game.
That’s why losing to the Indiana Pacers was such a big blow.
Not that they couldn’t lose against an up-and-coming and very talented team like the Pacers, but that was a game they were expected to win.
Nevertheless, Cavs veteran Georges Niang believes that may have been a blessing in disguise.
Talking to Ken Carman and Anthony Lima on 92.3 The Fan, Niang admitted that the setback was the wake-up call they needed before hitting the highway for a three-game road trip.
.@GeorgesNiang20 with @KenCarman & @SportsBoyTony: #Cavs loss to Pacers a good "wake-up call" ahead of road trip; Darius Garland needs to be looked at as an All-Starhttps://t.co/Z1ds104Hlm
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) January 16, 2025
The Cavs didn’t need much time to bounce back from that setback.
They got right back at the Pacers on their own turf to re-start another winning streak.
Now, they will star in a rematch vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, this time without their fans in attendance.
Winning on the road is no easy task, much less against a Western Conference foe because of all the traveling.
The Cavs have yet to lose a game vs. the Western Conference this season.
They looked very sharp in the win vs. the Thunder, even when Donovan Mitchell had one of the worst shooting nights of his career.
Then, they will have the Minnesota Timberwolves next, so this will be a crucial stretch for Kenny Atkinson’s team to keep proving what they’re made of.
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