The Cleveland Cavaliers face the third game of a four-game road trip, as they visit Indiana to take on the Pacers, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Wednesday evening.
The Cavs (35-15) have picked up the pace, as they have won three straight, after they dealt with a rough patch where they went 4-7. LeBron James has stepped up his game to lead by example as he has double-doubled in six of his last 10 games, while throwing in two triple-doubles into the mix during that stretch, as well.
He set a career-high with 17 assists in his last game, as he’s really increased his assist numbers over the last 10, essentially becoming that backup playmaker that he so adamantly proclaimed was a necessity for his team. Kevin Love has picked up his play as well. After missing two games with a sore back, Love has returned with bang, scoring 23 and then 39 points in his two games since returning.
Iman Shumpert (ankle) is listed as day-to-day, after going down after 24 minutes of action in Monday’s win over the Wizards. The Cavs remain atop the East, 2.5 games ahead of the Celtics. They have won two straight on the road, where they are 13-10 so far this season.
Meanwhile, the Pacers (29-22) are in the midst of their best stretch of the season, as they have won seven straight and have taken a strong hold of sixth place in the East, sitting 3.5 games ahead of the seventh-place Bulls. Paul George has led by example in his own right, as he is averaging 24.3 points per game over the last 10 games, which is two points per game better than his season average.
Thaddeus Young (wrist) has missed two games and is listed as day-to-day, but the Pacers have gotten solid production from guys like Al Jefferson, Lavoy Allen and C.J. Miles, as they have helped fill in where needed. The Pacers have won four straight at home, where they are an impressive 20-6 so far this season.
