Monta Ellis is fitting in with the Indiana Pacers alright. He had his biggest game to date with his new team Saturday night, scoring 32 big points to lead the Pacers to a 109-105 overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets.
While Ellis and the Pacers were engaged in a heated affair against Denver, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were busy blowing out one of the best teams in the league. The Cavaliers blew out the San Antonio Spurs 117-103 at Quicken Loans Arena. James and co. now bring a four-game win streak with them to Indiana for a primetime matchup Monday night.
It’s going to be one hell of a game between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Get some more basketball action with our complete previews for the Wizards vs. Thunder and Spurs vs. Magic.
It was a huge game for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Big Three. LeBron James led the way with 29 points on 10 of 17 shooting in the Cavaliers’ blowout of the Spurs. Kevin Love finished with a double-double, scoring 21 points and hauling in 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving scored 21 points and added six assists.
James and Love were completely unstoppable in the first matchup against Indiana. The King filled the stat sheet with 29 points, six rebounds and six assists. Love had 22 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks as he was unbeatable underneath the basket.
Irving was still recovering from a shattered kneecap in the first matchup against the Pacers. He can make his season debut at Indiana very memorable. He’s playing much better on the road this season with 18.6 points per game than averaging 14.1 at home.
Tristan Thompson could also have a big day at Indiana. The Pacers rank in the bottom half of the league when it comes to allowing offensive rebounds. Thompson ranks in the top six in the league in terms of offensive boards. Expect the Cavaliers’ big man to box out defenders to give his team a handful of opportunities for second chance points.
The Cavaliers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four on the road.
Betting on the Indiana Pacers (25-22)
Monta Ellis scored a season-high 32 points and had nine rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers past Denver 109-105 in overtime. He was especially clutch in overtime, converting a three-point play with 20.4 seconds remaining in overtime to seal the Pacers victory. Ellis has now scored a combined 57 points in his last two games, both at home.
Ellis could be up to continue his hot streak when the Pacers welcome LeBron James and the Cavaliers to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. He scored 25 points on 10 of 17 shooting in the first matchup between the two teams this season. Expect him to have an even more spirited effort this time around considering his excellent scoring stretch at home.
It wasn’t all Ellis though. Star forward Paul George also had a big game against Denver, scoring 19 points on 7 of 15 shooting. George is averaging 20.3 points in the first three games of Indiana’s current home stand. He was amazing in the first game against Cleveland, filling the stat sheet with 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
You can also expect some tight defense from Indiana’s frontcourt. Josh Hill and Myles Turner combined for a whopping 10 blocks in Saturday’s victory. Expect the two to lock down the paint whenever Cleveland decides to attack the basket.
The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games against Cleveland.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pacers take a closely-contested game against Cleveland.
