The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t need a lot of help. Even so, they got a prime reinforcement without making any trades. Max Strus got off to a slow start to the season after missing a big chunk with a foot injury he sustained during the preseason.

Squaring off against the Pacers for the first time this season, the Cavs could be without one of their most important bench players.

Big third quarter helps Cavaliers win on the road, avenging a home loss to the Pacers two nights earlier. Cavs' big four each play a big role.

The NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers fell in Sunday's home game against the Indiana Pacers with a chance to extend their winning streak to 13.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Indiana Pacers center Thomas Bryant (3) shoots in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Georges Niang (20) and Max Strus (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki ...

Pascal Siakam scored 23 points and Bennedict Mathurin 19 for the Pacers, who had their six-game winning streak halted. Myles Turned added 17 points. The Cavaliers led 82-77 in the third quarter before going on a 10-0 run that included 3-pointers by Max Strus, Georges Niang and Mobley. Cleveland led 100-89 after three periods.

which avenged Sunday's 15-point home loss to the Pacers. Jarrett Allen chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds, and Max Strus had 13 points off the bench. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points ...

Pacers center Myles Turner nailed a 3-pointer to give Indiana a 90-78 lead with 7:19 ... lead Cavaliers The Cavs look flat-footed tonight. Max Strus committed back-to-back turnovers, and then ...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points and eight assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114 on Thursday night in a matchup of teams with the best records in the NBA.

Heading into a matchup between the NBA's top teams, the Cavs and Thunder are both dealing with injuries to key players.

The Cavaliers are the only team to beat the Thunder in the past four weeks, posting a 129-122 victory in Cleveland on Jan. 8 to open the two-game season series. Oklahoma City has won 18 of its last 19 games, not including the NBA Cup final defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks in mid-December that doesn't count in the regular-season standings.

ESPN's fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night's games. Here you'll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports and player projections.