Irving leads Cavaliers to rare win at Indiana, 111-106 in OT

He would score 29 points, along with six rebounds and four assists to drag his team over the line.

Irving delivered the game’s biggest plays, scoring four straight in overtime to finally give Cleveland a three-point lead, and the free throws that essentially sealed it.

“We are an improving basketball team, an evolving basketball team”, said Vogel.

After the Cavs shot 61.9 percent from the field in the first half to take a 60-49 halftime lead, the Pacers slowed the surging Cavs.

The Kings took the lead for good early in the final period on two free throws by Marco Belinelli, who scored 10 points in the fourth quarter.

On the other side of the ball, Irving had a mismatch on 6-11 Turner out on the perimeter midway in the quarter. Love had a huge block on George with 48 seconds left in OT that would have given the Pacers the lead. Kevin Love added 19 points of his own while also playing one his best defensive games of the season in netting two steals, blocking two shots and taking one charge. He’s running the court well and handling his team-monitored minutes just fine, not to mention, his jumper has been killer enough that he hasn’t yet needed to master a set of moves on offense.

“It’s frustrating, but I’m encouraged”, coach Frank Vogel said.

In a close encounter with the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers showed signs of buoyancy but produced too many breakdowns as well. They’ve covered just two of their last nine games. They led by one midway through the second quarter but trailed by double digits for most of the second half.

“Everybody jumped all over him to basically shut up, you played a great game, it’s a learning experience”, Vogel said.

The Cavaliers limited the Pacers’ standout forward to three-of-15 shooting from the field, one of five from three-point range and 11 points, less than half of his season average. Ellis also struggled, going 5 of 18 and 1 of 8 on 3s.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue wasn’t aware until before tipoff. But the Pacers outscored Cleveland 16-9 on the fast break and 25-13 on second-chance points.

Cavaliers: Cleveland improved to a league-best 10-1 on the road since December 28….

Pacers: Indiana played without center Ian Manini (back) and guard Rodney Stuckey (sprained right foot and bone bruise).

Love had 12 points and five rebounds in the opening half, and Thompson added 10 points and seven rebounds.

George Hill’s 23 points led the Pacers, followed by Jordan Hill with 17, Myles Turner and Monta Ellis with 14, and Paul George rounding out the starters with 11. Totals 43-101 12-14 106.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Lavoy Allen (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 1, 2016.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (34-12) are riding in a four-game winning streak, including a 117-103 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Cleveland wins in Indianapolis for the first time in six years.