Sabonis remains dominant force as Pacers beat Cavaliers 119-99

INDIANAPOLIS — Domantas Sabonis had 25 points and made two of Indiana’s 16 3-pointers in the Pacers’ 119-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

All-Star guard Victor Oladipo hit four 3-pointers, Doug McDermott and Aaron Holiday each had three and the Pacers finished 16 of 35 from long range. Indiana, playing seven of its first nine games at home, improved to 4-1 through the first five games of the season.

Sabonis, the 6-foot-11 center who usually does most of his work inside, made both of his 3-point tries and shot 10 of 14 overall. He also had 11 rebounds.

Shooting guard Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers with 28 points, and point guard Darius Garland added 21. Cleveland was 12 of 23 on 3-pointers in the first of six straight road games. The Cavs are 3-2.

Two days after blowing a 17-point, third-quarter lead in a home loss to Boston, the Pacers pulled away again after halftime to take a 20-point advantage into the fourth quarter.

McDermott scored 11 first-half points off the bench to spark the Pacers. They led by 11 in the second quarter and were ahead 57-51 at halftime. McDermott closed out the third quarter with a finger-roll layup for an 88-68 lead.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Sexton has scored at least 20 points in 10 consecutive games, dating to last season.

Pacers: T.J. Warren missed his first start due to a sore left foot. “They’re figuring it out,” Pacers coach Nate Bjorkgren said. “T.J. wants to play so bad. He wants to be out there. That’s the kind of guy he is. That’s why I love him. … They’re going to keep monitoring it.” … Donnie Walsh, a longtime general manager who has been a consultant for the past decade, retired Wednesday at age 80.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: At Atlanta on Saturday night.

Pacers: Host New York on Saturday night.