Pacers Put the Clamps on Cleveland; Snap Cavs' 13-Game Streak

Who really knows how momentum ebbs and flows?

One moment, a few random sparks ignite a fire, and the next, it's doused by a greater force of the moment.

For last night, anyway, the Indiana Pacers were that greater force, reeling in their sixth straight victory, stopping the Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-102, as their march toward relevancy in the Eastern Conference playoff picture continued.

For all the offensive highlights, it was the fourth-quarter defensive battle that told the tale. Unfortunately, extended excellence of that nature rarely make for dynamic clips.

Just know both teams ratcheted up the pressure. Indiana prevailed, 17-16, to preserve their lead entering the final frame and wrap up the game.

Still, there were even more nifty cool offensive moments worthy of notice.

Like when Jae Crowder almost put Bojan Bogdanović in matching walking boots:

Snazzy finish, too.

While the Cavs can't seem to break through the 13-straight barrier, at least they put enough streaks together where they can take this one in stride.

Meanwhile, this is Indiana's second triumph over Cleveland in just over a month. They beat the Cavs, 124-107, in Ohio back on Wed 1 Nov.

Dudes mighta been in celebration hangover after that, dropping five of their next seven.

Then, it seems they remembered everything that went right in that game.

The Pacers have now taken nine of their last twelve, which has put them in good company.

So much for the Paul George trade devastating their short-term prospects.

Maybe it just took them a quarter of a season to realize it.