Final Score: Cavs improve to 2-0 in the preseason with 116-106 win vs. Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers 2-0 in the preseason.

After falling behind 27-7 early against the Indiana Pacers Monday in Cleveland, the Cavs came back to make it a three-point game after one. Cleveland outscored Indiana 84-71 over the final three quarters and won by a final score of 116-106.

After an opening quarter where the Cavs were done in by a barrage of Pacers three-pointers, the game tightened and was closely contested, if not particularly crisp. Both sides leaned more into quick attacks vs. more designed sets as the game wore on and more non-rotation pieces were in.

For Cleveland, that meant Dante Exum playing a large chunk of the second half with Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, and Andre Drummond only playing a part of the second half. Ultimately, Exum closed the game — and won the fourth quarter 35-27 — playing with the likes of Marques Bolden, Dean Wade, and Damyean Dotson. Only Dotson seems likely to get minutes in the regular season.

Exum led the Cavs with 23 points and 5 assists in 27 minutes. Andre Drummond added 17 points, 11 rebounds, and a highlight block of Pacers guard Victor Oladipo.

The Cavs won with Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, Collin Sexton, and Matthew Dellavedova all out with injury. Additionally, Larry Nance Jr. only played in the first half after taking a shot to the jaw in the first half.

Cleveland next heads to New York to play the Knicks twice. The first matchup tips off Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.