Cavaliers Huge Fourth Quarter Pushes Them Past Pacers

Posted by Matt Loede under NBA Game Recap

Good teams have to learn to win even when it’s not their night. Friday night at the Q was for sure not one the better nights for the Cavaliers, but led by their depth and the big play off the bench from Anderson Varejao, the team had enough to top the Indiana Pacers 111-107. The Cavs were out rebounded for the first time in the season, losing that battle 44 to 29, but they overcame a 3-point halftime deficit and a big night from Danny Granger, who had 33 in the loss for Indiana.

Varejao was a big spark for Cleveland, as he came off the bench with a career-high 18 points, and when the team had points in the third quarter when they trailed by 5-7 points, it was Varejao that was the reason the team was able to rally and get their fourth win against two losses. The team also was saved by a HUGE play by LeBron James with just about 40 seconds left, as he blocked a T.J. Ford layup that would have closed it to 111-109. James was fully extended, getting the block and keeping the Cavs up late.

James had a solid night, hitting for 27 points on 11-for-27 from the field, and he added 9 rebounds and 8 assists. The team had six players in double digits, as the bench again was a key with Varejao hitting for his 18, and Wally Szczerbiak adding 11. Cleveland had 34 points off the bench to 31 for Indiana. Another big key was again the play of Mo Williams, who had 21 points and four assists in 37 minutes.

Mike Brown, James and Williams all pointed to the fact that the team came out flat, which in some respects can be alarming, but it’s also a great sign that they could win a game like this. The team was tested, and had to run all night long with the fast break, jump shooting Pacers who matched the Cavs stride for stride till the very end.

So now it’s off to the Windy City of Chicago and a rematch with the 3-3 Bulls, who the Cavs just beat on Wednesday at home. Cleveland is a half game out of first in the Central after the Pistons fell to the Nets on Friday night.

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