INDIANAPOLIS Indiana PacersFans welcome back Caris LeVertHe was greeted with a loud ovation at pregame introductions. His former team honored him with a highlight video during the first timeout.
He then went out to play winning basketball.
LeVert scored 22 point, had five assists, and provided lockdown defense to the end of the game. Cleveland CavaliersRally for a 120-113 win on what was his home court last Thursday
LeVert said that “Tonight had more on it because I was here just a week ago,” and was traded to Cleveland on Saturday. “It was certainly strange energy, just being there a few days ago. But it’s what it is. You can trade any day in NBA, especially around the trade deadline. It was certainly gratifying to win.”
LeVert was a star guard for the Cavs and they needed all that he could offer. Darius GarlandOut with a sore back. He did not disappoint, just as he did last week when LeVert scored 42 points for the Pacers.
Cleveland won its fifth consecutive win to remain within striking distance from the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded seed. Jarrett AllenWith 22 points and 14 rebound, and Kevin LoveTo reach 7,001 points since joining Cleveland Cavs, he scored 14 points. He still needs to score 10 more points to reach 14,000 for his career.
But it was LeVert’s combination of offense and defense that helped Cleveland overcome an 18-point deficit over the final 15½ minutes.
Rick Carlisle, Pacers coach said that “this is why they wanted them and why they were willingly to sacrifice multiple draft picks and expiring contract and all the rest to get him.” It’s hard to lose that guy, but I know his capabilities.
Kevin Pritchard, Pacers president and basketball operations, stated that LeVert was “one the hardest people” he had ever to trade. Caris, he is a special person and I thank him. He is likely to score 50 tonight.
The Pacers made three important trades this week and looked different. Tyrese HaliburtonIn his Pacers debut, Indiana ran the point and scored 23 points and six assists. Indiana also opened the game with 10 of 12 3-point shots. Indiana then scored a record 47 points in the quarter.
It didn’t work.
The Cavs led 94-76 in the first half, but they won the game with their famous defense of forcing turnovers in the fourth. Love, LeVert Rajon RondoIndiana was repeatedly forced to pay.
Cleveland’s lead was reduced to four when Love scored a basket at 6:58. LeVert made it two points with 4:46 left, and Rondo’s three with 4:06 remaining gave Cleveland the lead of 110-109.
LeVert continued that with back to back baskets. The Pacers came within one point of winning the game for the remainder.
J.B. Bickerstaff, Cavs coach said, “Caris’s a complete player.” He’s more than an offensive player. He understood the steps we had to take in order to accomplish our goals. We had to make stops at those crucial moments in order to get back into the game.
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.