By Zac Jackson
FOX Sports Ohio
December 17, 2010
The Cavaliers' quest to snap their losing streak now comes home.
The streak hit 10 Friday night in Indiana as a four-game road trip ended with a dull second-half effort that became a 108-99 Pacers victory.
The Cavaliers hung around but again couldn't stay within screaming range. The Pacers led by five at half, pushed it to 11 in the first few minutes of the third and led by as many as 16 in the fourth.
"We don't have the equipment right now to get ourselves down and come back," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said.
After making 5 of their first 7 shots from beyond the 3-point line, including 4-of-4 by Anthony Parker, they made just 1 of their next 6. Mo Williams ended up leading the way with 22 points and 11 assists.
The Cavaliers have to find a way -- some way, any way --to win. They know from this trip, and it was reinforced Friday night, that shooting 42 percent, letting one opposing player score 30-plus and trying to dig out of a hole aren't working.
Danny Granger led the Pacers with 30 points. He had 34 in the first meeting between the teams this season and 24 in the second. The Cavaliers return home Saturday night to play the Knicks and will have to find a way to contain Amare' Stoudemire, whose 24-point, 14-rebound night in New York's loss to Miami Friday was an off night by his recent standards.
Consistency, or a lack thereof, is just killing the Cavaliers. After scoring 26 Wednesday night in Miami, Daniel Gibson shot 1-of-7 against the Pacers. J.J. Hickson scored 11 off the bench, but shot just 2-of-8 from the floor. The Cavaliers lost the rebounding battle by 11, 49-38, and their bench was outscored 34-24 as Scott again stuck with a shorter rotation, playing each of his starters at least 35 minutes.
"It's hard for those guys to play 37 minutes a night," Scott said. "But that also gives us the best chance to win basketball games right now."
The Cavaliers now play four of their next five at home.
KNICKS (16-11) at CAVALIERS (7-19)
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Fred McLeod and Austin Carr have the call on FSOhio. Chat live during the game right here on FOXSportsOhio.com
Saturday is first meeting between the Knicks and Cavaliers this season.
