NBA Cavaliers effort too much for Pacers, 96-66

LeBron James led the way with 23 points, 8 assists and seven rebounds.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown doesn't really care if he sounds repetitive. He likes defense and he likes effort and he constantly talks about both.
"I keep preaching to these guys, I keep preaching to these guys, I keep preaching to these guys: We need to get to the point where our effort is consistent," Brown said.
On Tuesday, it was.
The Cavaliers held Indiana to 20 or fewer points in all four quarters and outscored the Pacers 54-28 in the second half en route to a dominating 96-66 victory at Quicken Loans Arena.
"That was one of the best halves on the defensive end we've played all year," said Brown. "It was a heck of a win."
Big win at home
Especially since it came against a division rival. Cleveland, which has struggled historically against the Pacers, who were coming off a loss at woeful Atlanta on Monday. The Cavs will play at Indiana on Friday.
"Indiana's a fiery team and they like to get up on you and talk a little bit," said Cavs forward LeBron James. "We love to play against them and they love to play against us."
Cleveland especially loves to play against them when they're missing All-Star guard Ron Artest, who maneuvered his way out of a trade with the Sacramento Kings earlier in the day.
Playing without Artest
Artest, who is probably only one of two NBA players who can stop James (San Antonio's Bruce Bowen being the other), has been out of the lineup since demanding a trade last month.
The Pacers can't wait to get rid of him but they haven't found a way to play well without him.
"Anytime you lose a guy like him, it's going to hurt," James said of Artest. "He just does so much."
Case in point: With Artest in the lineup on Thanksgiving Day, the Pacers annihilated the Cavaliers, 98-76. A month later, with Artest out, the Cavs won, 94-89.
Tuesday's win was more impressive. The Cavaliers (22-17) led by as many as 32 points in the second half and were able to rest most of their top guys for much of the fourth quarter. With an away game in Atlanta looming today, that's a big deal.
"We should be fine for [today]," said James, who finished with game-highs in points (23) and assists (8) to go along with seven rebounds. "There should be no excuses."
Other Cavs scorers
Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Drew Gooden had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which led by just four points at halftime.
Gooden, who has been criticized for his poor defense in years past, has started to play better on that end of the floor and said he's starting to hear Brown's coaching in his sleep.
"I'll be sleeping and I'll hear, 'You need to help on the backside,' " Gooden said, drawing laughter. "It's like second nature now.
"He's a great coach and a great teacher."
Pavlovic in starting role
Sasha Pavlovic, starting for injured guard Larry Hughes, had a season-high 16 points in 33 minutes. It was an encouraging sign for the Cavs, who have struggled with Hughes out of the lineup.
"It's nice to play more," Pavlovic said. "I'm starting to feel more comfortable."
Added James, "He played a great game."
Stephen Jackson scored 17 points to lead Indiana (21-20), while Danny Granger had 12.
All-Star Jermaine O'Neal had just seven points before limping off the floor in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.
scalzo@vindy.com