Johnny Furphy arguably produced his best game this season. But it wasn’t enough as the Indiana Pacers suffered a franchise-record 13th straight loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Furphy narrowly missed his first NBA double-double, recording nine points, a career-high 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal in 31 minutes in his fifth career start.
The second-year Australian wing shot 4 of 6 from the field with a three and finished with a +3 plus/minus.
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However, the Pacers collapsed in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game to lose 120-116 at home (all-time AEDT).
The Cavaliers took the lead with an 11-0 run in the fourth term for which Indiana had no answers.
Darius Garland scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth term on perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the field to guide a Cleveland team playing without Donovan Mitchell to victory as it improved to 21-17.
The Pacers slipped to 6-31 – the worst record in the entire NBA. It continued a grim turnaround just seven months after Indiana made the NBA Finals, with numerous injuries since Tyrese Haliburton was hit with a torn Achilles tendon during the championship series.
Now the franchise is going through its greatest losing streak after losing 12 straight games four other times – but never 13 straight losses.
Despite this, Wednesday’s match was a big step forward for Furphy after an injury disrupted his start to the season.
Furphy had not played more than 23 minutes in his 18 appearances so far this campaign as Indiana carefully manages the 21-year-old’s back following a long-term ankle problem.
He started the game particularly hot, with his ability to crash the boards a key characteristic. He had five points and eight rebounds in 17 minutes before halftime.
That included a highlight play in the first quarter where Furphy forced a steal and threw down a huge fast-break dunk that fired up the fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Even Haliburton stood out for the Australian from the Indiana bench.
The Pacers held Cleveland to just 22 points in the first quarter thanks to a strong defensive performance and led 60-53 at the main break.
“Our second quarters are a big priority for us, I think we missed a little bit of that, so we made sure everyone brought energy to the second quarter and that’s going to start on the defensive end,” Furphy said at halftime.
That came after Indiana coach Rick Carlisle emphasized rebounding against a big Cavaliers team that starts two centers with Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen.
“(Rebounding was) also a big priority, they’re all going to crash, so we have to be very switched on,” Furpy added.
ALL RESULTS
Riders 120 Pacers 116
Magic 112 Wizards 120
Spurs – Grizzlies
Heat – Timberwolves
Lakers – Pelicans
Mavericks – Kings
