The Cleveland Cavaliers' impressive 12-game winning streak was halted on Sunday night with a 108-93 defeat to the Indiana Pacers. Despite recent triumphs over top teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, the Cavaliers couldn't maintain their momentum in this matchup. The loss marked their first since December 8, leaving them with just five defeats from 38 games this season.
Indiana was led by Andrew Nembhard, who scored 19 points, and Pascal Siakam, who contributed 18, with both players playing key roles in securing the victory for the Pacers. Nembhard spoke about the team's mindset, emphasizing the importance of playing hard and with physicality against one of the league's best teams.
The Cavaliers struggled with their shooting, especially from beyond the arc, where they made only 11 of 41 attempts, far below their usual 40.3% average for the season. This shooting slump significantly impacted their offense and prevented them from capitalizing on opportunities.
Cleveland's coach, Kenny Atkinson, expressed disappointment in his team's inability to sustain their defensive intensity after a strong first half. Despite an impressive defensive performance in the opening period, the Cavaliers couldn't replicate that effort in the second half, ultimately allowing the Pacers to take control and end the winning streak.
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