PREVIEW: The Indiana Pacers welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, looking to extend their winning momentum after capturing back-to-back victories. The Pacers enter at 4-16 while the Cavaliers sit at 12-9 , creating a matchup between a team surging defensively and one dealing with fatigue. Cleveland arrives on the second leg of a back-to-back following a narrow 117-115 loss to Boston , while Indiana has held three consecutive opponents below 101 points, showcasing their defensive improvements over recent days. Unfortunately, shot quality metrics are unavailable for both squads in this preview , but the underlying defensive trends tell the story of two teams moving in opposite directions heading into this crucial divisional clash. Donovan Mitchell continues his elite scoring campaign, averaging 30.6 points per game and ranking fifth in the league , giving Cleveland firepower that can overwhelm most opponents on any night. The Cavaliers counter with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and shifty point guard Darius Garland , though their injury depth chart remains concerning as they navigate a condensed schedule. For Indiana, Pascal Siakam scored 24 points in their recent victory while Jay Huff, the league's shot-blocking leader at 2.2 per game, made crucial defensive contributions down the stretch. Both teams carry distinct narratives into Monday's showdown, setting up a compelling battle between Cleveland's star power and Indiana's emerging defensive identity.