The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 12-game winning streak ended Sunday night with a 108-93 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The Cavaliers have moved to the top of the Eastern Conference thanks to a recent winning streak against rivals Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks.
But Andrew Nembhard, leading scorer with 19 points, and Pascal Siakam, who scored 18 points, combined to help the Pacers pull out the victory.
It was the Cavaliers’ first loss since Dec. 8 and only the fifth in 38 games this season.
“There was nothing to lose, they are the best team in the league right now,” Nembhard said.
“We had to play hard, play together and put a little more physicality into the game on the defensive side of the ball, and play off that base.”
The Cavaliers, who are 40.3 percent on three-pointers this season, made just 11 (26.8 percent) of 41 against the Pacers.
Looking back on the loss, Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said: “What disappointed me was our first half was phenomenal, defensively, and then in the second half we fell down. We couldn’t sustain our defense.”
NBA results – January 12
Detroit Pistons 123-114 Toronto Raptors
Minnesota Timberwolves 125-127 Memphis Grizzlies
Portland Trail Blazers 98-119 Miami Heat
NY Knicks 140-106 Milwaukee Bucks
Dallas Mavericks 101-112 Denver Nuggets
Washington Wizards 95-136 Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic 104-99 Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics 120-119 New Orleans Pelicans
