Something happened between Wednesday’s game against the Magic, and Saturday night’s home opener. The Cavs remembered they had Kevin Love, and Kevin Love remembered that he can be really good at basketball. Cleveland rode a monster 39 point second quarter, and built their lead all the way out to 24 in the early third. Despite a late rally by the Pacers that got them as close as seven and a series of facepalm inducing possessions by Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, the Cavs held on.
The Cavs maintained the lead by getting the ball to their big men.