[ad_1]
CLEVELAND – – TJ McConnell set an NBA record with nine steals in the first half and signed his second career triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists and a franchise best 10 steals, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 114-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night.
McConnell also went 8 of 8 from the field in 36 minutes on the bench as Indiana recovered from a 19-point deficit in the third quarter to end their four-game losing streak. Malcolm Brogdon scored 29 points and Domantas Sabonis had 18 points for the Pacers.
“It’s as good of a full TJ game as you’re going to see it in the NBA with the myriad ways it has affected it,” said Brogdon. “He’s the best teammate as well, so we were all very happy for him.
The NBA record of 11 interceptions in a game was shared by Kendall Gill of New Jersey on April 3, 1999 against Miami and Larry Kenon of San Antonio on December 26, 1976 in Kansas City.
McConnell’s career-best record was six steals twice, the latest on Feb.12, 2018, against New York, when he had his first triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. The sixth-year pro leads the league in interceptions with 2.0 per game.
“The guys hosed me down after the game, but I don’t remember much because it was so cold,” McConnell said with a laugh. “It wasn’t nice, but it was nice at the same time, if that makes sense.”
Collin Sexton had 32 points, 10 assists and three steals, and Jarrett Allen had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who made 26 turnovers and saw their four-game winning streak halt. They held an 81-62 lead in the middle of the third.
Indiana climbed to 108-106 for good on a 3-point run by Justin Holiday with 1:18 to go. After a layup from Dylan Windler brought Cleveland to 112-111, Brogdon made two free throws with a second left and the Cavaliers were unable to land a potential tying shot.
“It was very, very big for us and a really impressive game for TJ,” said Indiana coach Nate Bjorkgren. “You will always get the effort from him at both ends. He has that look in his eyes every night.
Indiana stole the ball on six straight Cleveland possessions in the first period – five by McConnell – and notched 11 straight points. The Pacers scored 35 in revenue points, which more than made up for their total of five rebounds in the first half.
“McConnell earned it, he earned it tonight,” Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff said. “He’s a pest all the time. He’s super competitive all the time.
Cleveland point guard Darius Garland scored 16 points in 19 minutes before coming out with a strained left groin.
Sexton had 14 points and 10 halftime assists and became the first Cavaliers player to get double-digit first-half assists since LeBron James on February 6, 2017 in Washington.
HISTORY LESSON
McConnell is the first NBA player to record an assisted points triple-double since Atlanta’s Mookie Blaylock recorded 14 points, 11 assists and 10 steals against Philadelphia on April 14, 1998.
“I was just playing with our defensive principles and trying to help lead the team, I wasn’t doing my best to do steals,” said McConnell. “We kind of dug a hole, so I’m very happy with the win.”
TIP-INS
Pacers: G Doug McDermott (broken tooth) visited the dentist on Tuesday and was part of the starting lineup. … G Jeremy Lamb (left knee pain) returned to action after missing a game. … G Caris LeVert (carcinoma of left kidney) and F TJ Warren (stress fracture of left foot) stay on the sidelines, but LeVert could make his Indiana debut later this month after being acquired in the James Harden mega-store.
Cavaliers: F Dean Wade made his fifth straight start and scored a career-high 17 points with five 3-pointers. “Dean is a really nice guy, to be honest with you, and that’s why the other guys are so happy with his success,” Bickerstaff said. … The F Taurean Prince (left ankle pain), who had been limited to one game and eight minutes since Feb. 14, was Cleveland’s fourth player off the bench.
FOLLOWING
Pacers: Host Denver Thursday. After the All-Star break, Indiana will hit the road for three games starting March 12 at the Lakers.
Cavaliers: Visit New Orleans on March 12. Cleveland won’t play another game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse until March 17 against the Celtics.
——
[ad_2]
Source link