CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs continue their homestand on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern with a matchup that carries echoes of last spring — but only in name.
It’s a rematch of the Eastern Conference semifinals, yet the Indiana Pacers arriving at Rocket Arena are hardly the version that pushed Cleveland to playoff defeat a few months ago.
Indiana is 2-13, reeling through a brutal start, and missing the engine that made them dangerous. Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season after tearing his Achilles during the NBA Finals. Myles Turner, the anchor of their defense and spacing, is now in Milwaukee following a whirlwind offseason shake-up.
The personnel is different, the ceiling is lower and the record reflects it.
Still, the blueprint remains. The Pacers’ system — the tempo, the spacing, the manipulation of matchups — has given the Cavs problems for years. Even without their stars, they understand how to pull Cleveland out of its comfort zones.
At 10-6, the Cavs face another test of their mental fortitude more than their talent. A chance to prove that even against a depleted opponent with a familiar formula, they can impose their own identity instead of reacting to someone else’s.
Friday won’t recreate last May. But it will reveal whether Cleveland has truly moved beyond it.
How to watch the Cavs: See how to watch the Cavs games with this handy game-by-game TV schedule.
Here’s what to know about the matchup:
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
Series: First of four matchups in the regular season.
Where: Rocket Arena
When: 7 p.m. ET.
The point spread: Rockets minus-14.5; O/U 238.5
TV: Prime Video
Injury report
Cavs
Questionable:
- Jarrett Allen (right 3rd finger; strain)
- Darius Garland (left great toe; injury management)
- Jaylon Tyson (head; concussion)
Out:
- Chris Livingston (G League – Two-Way)
- Sam Merrill (right hand; sprain)
- Max Strus (left foot; Jones fracture surgery)
- Luke Travers (G League – Two-Way)
Pacers
Out:
- Johnny Furphy (left ankle; sprain)
- Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tendon; torn)
- Quenton Jackson (right hamstring; strain)
- Kam Jones (lower back; stress reaction)
- Aaron Nesmith (left knee; MCL sprain)
- Obi Toppin (right foot; stress fracture)
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
