Pacers at Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have already endured a pair of five-game losing streaks this month and will be seeking to halt the latest skid against an opponent that has been a nemesis for them. The Indiana Pacers, winners of four of their last five games, will pay a visit to Cleveland looking to beat the Cavaliers for the fourth consecutive time and 10th in the last 11 meetings. The Pacers dominated a matchup earlier this month, limiting Cleveland to only 23 second-half points in a 96-81 victory at home.
The Cavaliers are uncertain of the status of center Anderson Varejao. The league's leading rebounder sat out Wednesday's 103-91 loss to the Boston Celtics with a bruised right knee. Cleveland made a roster move Thursday, recalling 6-10 Jon Leuer from Canton of the Development League. Kyrie Irving had 22 points against the Celtics, the fifth time he has scored at least 22 in the six games since returning from a broken finger. His only poor outing since coming back was a nine-point effort vs. the Pacers.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Indiana, Fox Sports Ohio
ABOUT THE PACERS (14-12): Indiana is allowing the third-fewest points (90.3) and has really stepped it up on defense of late. In their past four wins, the Pacers have held each opponent under 85 points, including Wednesday's 104-84 victory over the Utah Jazz. It marked only the fourth time Indiana has reached 100 points and the first time they shot better than 50 percent. Paul George registered his second straight double-double and scored at least 20 points for the sixth time in nine games.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (5-22): The one dividend of Varejao's injury was the performance of rookie Tyler Zeller in his first career start. The 7-foot center broke out with a season-high 20 points on 9-for-15 shooting. It was hardly a performance anyone could see coming from Zeller, who had failed to top eight points in his previous five games. Zeller attributed some of his success to discarding the mask he was wearing to protect a fracture cheekbone.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pacers rank third in the league in blocked shots (7.2). The Cavaliers are dead last at 3.1.
2. Cleveland is winless in seven games against Central Division rivals this season and has lost 16 straight within the division.
3. The Pacers (42.4) and Cavaliers (41.6) rank among the bottom five in the league in field goal percentage.