Nance's tip-in at buzzer leads Cavs over Pacers

[December 19, 2018]  Larry Nance Jr. tipped in a missed shot by Rodney Hood at the buzzer, and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers 92-91 on Tuesday night.

Indiana had a chance to ice the game, but Victor Oladipo missed three straight free throws to give Cleveland the opportunity to win only its eighth game of the season.

The Pacers had their seven-game win streak snapped, while the Cavaliers ended a two-game skid.

The game was tied 10 times and there were 17 lead changes.

Nance, starting in place of the injured Tristan Thompson, finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Hood scored 17, and Alec Burks came off the bench to add 14 points for Cleveland.

Domantas Sabonis scored 17 points to lead six Indiana players in double figures. Oladipo struggled to score 12 points on 4-of-15 from the field, 1-of-6 from beyond the arc and the three costly misses from the free-throw line.

With the score tied 79-all, Oladipo connected on a 3-pointer after turning the ball over on the previous possession to put Indiana up, 82-79. The Pacers stretched the lead to 88-82 with 4:10 left and seemed in control.

After Cleveland crept to within two at 90-88 on a Hood short jumper, Oladipo made one of two free throws with 43.9 seconds left

Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) shoots against Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the third quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavaliers had a chance to tie the game at 91-all, but Hood's 3-point attempt was long. Oladipo's floater was off, and Burks' layup made the score 91-90 with 12 seconds left.

Hood fouled Oladipo with 9.5 ticks left. Oladipo missed both free throws to set up Nance's game-winner.

Cleveland led 45-44 at halftime and is now 7-2 when leading at intermission.

Sabonis led the Pacers with nine first-half points. Thaddeus Young added seven points and seven boards.

Burks and Cedi Osman each had nine for Cleveland.

--Field Level Media

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