NBA: Indiana Pacers secure second straight win by defeating shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers

NEW DELHI: In a game that featured a standout performance by Aaron Nesmith with a career-high 26 points and a remarkable showing by Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers secured a 125-113 victory over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
Cleveland was at a disadvantage as they were missing three starters, including the All-NBA shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (right hamstring soreness).Additionally, point guard Darius Garland was absent due to a left hamstring strain, and center Jarrett Allen was out with a left ankle bone bruise.

Myles Turner contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who outscored the Cavaliers 29-12 in the second quarter and continued their strong start to the season with a second consecutive win. Bennedict Mathurin and Jalen Smith also made significant contributions, each adding 13 points.
Cleveland had a standout performance from Evan Mobley, who recorded 33 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks. Caris LeVert, starting at point guard, put up 31 points and eight assists, while Max Strus finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Donovan Mitchell, who scored 43 points in the previous game against Oklahoma City, was unavailable due to tightness in his right hamstring.
The Cavaliers managed to cut the deficit to 93-92 early in the fourth quarter after Georges Niang's 3-pointer. However, Aaron Nesmith and Buddy Hield responded with back-to-back 3-pointers, and Tyrese Haliburton sealed the victory with consecutive 3-pointers late in the game.
The Pacers, who started the season with a 143-120 win over Washington, currently lead the league with an impressive scoring average of 134.0 points per game.
Caris LeVert got Cleveland off to a strong start, scoring 19 points in the first seven minutes, helping the Cavaliers establish a 27-12 lead. He finished the first quarter with 22 points, shooting 9-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
In their NBA debuts, Cavaliers guards Emoni Bates and Craig Porter Jr. struggled to make an impact, with Bates airballing his first shot, a transition 3-pointer.
(With AP inputs)