NBA: Pacers down depleted Cavaliers

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) goes to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers guards Max Strus, left, and Caris LeVert (3) through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Picture/Sue Ogrocki)

CLEVELAND — Aaron Nesmith scored a career-high 26 factors and Tyrese Haliburton had 21 factors, 13 assists and eight rebounds, sending the Indiana Pacers to a 125-113 victory over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night time.

Cleveland performed with out three starters, together with All-NBA capturing guard Donovan Mitchell (proper hamstring soreness). Level guard Darius Garland (left hamstring pressure) and heart Jarrett Allen (left ankle bone bruise) additionally stay out.

Nesmith, who signed a three-year contract extension earlier within the week, had 17 factors within the first half and completed with 9 rebounds. The 6-foot-5 ahead was acquired final summer time in a commerce with Boston, the place he spent his first two seasons.

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Aaron Nesmith has a brand new career-high 26 factors tonight. pic.twitter.com/UKRuLPzf5U

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 29, 2023

“After I made my first layup, then the second, I stated, ‘That is going to be a superb day,’” Nesmith stated. “And once I made a 3-pointer, I stated it was going to be a very good day. It was all simply my teammates discovering me.”

Myles Turner had 20 factors and 12 rebounds for Indiana, which outscored the Cavaliers 29-12 within the second quarter and received its second straight recreation to open the season. Bennedict Mathurin and Jalen Smith added 13 factors apiece.

Mitchell was strolling with a pronounced limp following the Cavaliers’ 108-105 house loss to Oklahoma Metropolis on Friday. The four-time All-Star scored 43 factors in 42 minutes in opposition to the Thunder, however Cleveland blew a nine-point lead within the remaining two minutes.

“Donovan has some tightness that we don’t wish to mess around with,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated. “The fellows we had went out and competed their tails off.”

Tyrese Haliburton with a close to triple-double tonight in Cleveland 💥

21 PTS | 13 AST | 8 REB pic.twitter.com/aAhv3HEXSm

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 29, 2023

Evan Mobley had 33 factors, 14 rebounds and three blocks for Cleveland, which has dropped two in a row. Caris LeVert began on the level and had 31 factors and eight assists, whereas Max Strus had 21 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.

“I simply tried to be aggressive and take among the single protection I acquired,” stated LeVert, who scored 19 factors within the first seven minutes when Cleveland jumped forward 27-12. “Clearly, it was subsequent man up for us as a result of we’ve acquired some guys banged up.”

The Cavaliers pulled inside 93-92 early within the fourth on Georges Niang’s 3-pointer, however Nesmith and Buddy Hield answered with back-to-back 3s. Indiana ended any doubt with three minutes left when Haliburton buried consecutive 3-pointers and made a layup.

not one, not two, however three triples in a row from Tyrese Haliburton 🥶 pic.twitter.com/3vpCGb5gU8

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 29, 2023

The Pacers started their season Wednesday with a 143-120 house victory over Washington and lead the league with a 134.0 scoring common. Haliburton ranks first in assists at 12.0 per recreation.

“Tyrese was wonderful within the fourth quarter and performed pitch-perfect tonight,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle stated. “He discovered the creases, he discovered the benefits, and he completed the sport off.”

Cavaliers guards Emoni Bates and Craig Porter Jr. had been scoreless of their NBA debuts. Bates, the No. 49 draft decide, airballed his first shot, a 3-pointer in transition.

UP NEXT

Pacers: Host Chicago on Monday.

Cavaliers: Host New York on Tuesday.