INDIANA Pacers clinched a home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs after a 114-112 victory over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 23 points to go with 10 assists, Aaron Nesmith added 22 points, while Jarace Walker chipped in 15 points off the bench for the Pacers, which improved to a 49-31 win-loss slate.
Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin finished with 13 markers apiece, while Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin ended with 10 each for the Pacers, which can still move up to as high as No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
Haliburton knocked down consecutive triples to put the Pacers ahead at 113-107, but the Cavaliers fought back and earned a chance to tie or win the game but Jaylon Tyson’s turnaround attempt at the buzzer was no good.
Ty Jerome led Cleveland (63-17) with 24 points, DeAndre Hunter added a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Craig Porter Jr. and Sam Merrill tallied 16 and 15 points, respectively.
The Cavaliers were without starters Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Max Strus as the East Conference top-seed are starting to prepare for the playoffs round.
Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham tallied 36 points and recorded eight assists as Detroit Pistons pulled out a 115-106 victory over the New York Knicks in Detroit, Michigan.
Jalen Duren had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, Tobias Harris finished with 17 points and Ron Holland contributed 13 off the bench for the Pistons (44-36).
Karl-Anthony Towns, meanwhile, led the Knicks (50-30) with 25 points and 10 rebounds, Precious Achiuwa had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Mikal Bridges tossed in 17 points and Jalen Brunson added 15 points.
The Knicks were missing two starters in OG Anunoby (right thumb sprain) and Josh Hart (right knee patellofemoral syndrome)./PN
BOX SCORE:
INDIANA 114 — Halliburton 23, Nesmith 22, Walker 15, Turner 13, Mathurin 13, Siakam 10, Toppin 10, McConnell 6, Nembhard 2, Bryant 0.
CLEVELAND 112 — Jerome 24, Hunter 23, Porter Jr 16, Merrill 15, Okoro 13, Wade 8, Thompson 7, Allen 3, Green 3, Tyson 0.
Quarterscores: 28-23; 52-56; 81-82; 114-112.
