Nate Taylor

IndyStar

Cavaliers at Pacers, 7 p.m. Monday, FSI

Consider what it took for the Indiana Pacers to leave Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a win Saturday over the Denver Nuggets.

Sure, they needed a remarkable performance from Monta Ellis, who led them with 32 points and nine rebounds. But they also needed Jordan Hill, Lavoy Allen and rookie Myles Turner, the frontcourt that is starting to flex its potential.

Hill scored 20 points, tying his season high, and blocked a career-high six shots. Turner, despite a rough shooting night, had a season-high nine rebounds and four blocks. Allen set screen after screen and collected a team-high three offensive rebounds. The trio, playing without injured center Ian Mahinmi, also defended the paint and rim in the fourth quarter and overtime. They helped the Pacers hold the Nuggets to just 37.5 percent shooting in the final 17 minutes.

Since coach Frank Vogel inserted Turner into the starting lineup, the Pacers have defended well in the fourth quarter and have produced two consecutive victories. Up next is the latest challenge for the Pacers’ frontcourt: the Cleveland Cavaliers, who also have a quartet of big men who can dominate a game.

“Defense, defense, defense,” Turner said after Saturday’s game of what the Pacers will have to accomplish Monday against the Cavaliers. “We need to carry that over against the number one team in the East.”

The Cavaliers, under new head coach Tyronn Lue, have a stranglehold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They overwhelmed the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Ellis fuels Pacers past Nuggets in overtime

The Pacers will likely to need a similar performance from their big men – or an even better one – to defeat the Cavaliers. Both Vogel and his players are optimistic they can withstand the strength and athleticism of Cleveland’s James, Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov.

One reason the Pacers reverted to a traditional lineup – instead of the spread, perimeter-oriented lineup – is because of the skill and trust between the four tallest players.

“All the bigs, we really play well off of each other,” Turner said. “Lavoy is such a great passer. He affects the game in ways that, I guess, don’t always appear on the stat sheet. We all have good chemistry.”

The Pacers have listed Mahinmi, who had a sore lower back Saturday, as questionable for Monday. If Mahinmi is unable to play, Hill said he can protect the rim, the top priority for Vogel’s centers.

“He was great,” Vogel said of Hill’s six blocks after Saturday’s game. “We’ve been on him the last couple of weeks to raise his level in terms of rim protection. He was great tonight in that regard.”

Hill has been one of many players to mentor Turner. He has helped the rookie with defensive positioning, rebounding and the timing necessary to block shots.

Few players were as happy for Turner as Hill was after Saturday’s game. He enjoyed watching Turner fight for rebounds and his ability to rotate in time to make a key block on Denver’s Gary Harris late in the fourth quarter.

“Myles, man, he’s going to be great,” Hill said after Saturday’s game. “He’s a scorer and can protect the basket with blocks. He’s still learning and he’s still got a lot of growth to come.”

Vogel will likely use Turner as a stretch power forward Monday. Whether Love or Thompson guard Turner, Vogel has made sure the rookie was on the court in the final minutes of the last three games.

In overtime Saturday, Vogel called a timeout and drew up a play for Turner. The Pacers executed the set, which drew multiple Nuggets to Ellis and Paul George, and Turner was wide open for a midrange jumper. Although Turner missed the shot, he appreciated the trust and faith shown by Vogel.

George Hill returns to the basics, cuts his blond hair

“To be out there in overtime like that in those clutch situations, it’s good for me to learn,” Turner said. “It’s good for my confidence and it’s good for coach’s growing confidence in me. If I can step up and hit big shots like that, coach will come back to take some of the pressure of Monta or P.G. or even George (Hill).”

Beyond the Pacers’ defense, Turner said Monday’s game could come down to which team rebounds better. The Cavaliers, who average 44.8 rebounds a game, are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference at limiting their opponents to one shot. The Pacers are just behind the Cavaliers at 43.9 rebounds per game.

“It’s going to be fun,” Turner said. “That’s the best way to put it. Matching up with those guys, we need to be ready to go.”

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

Ride along as we travel with the Pacers via the IndyStar Pacers XTRA app: http://bit.ly/1BR4fDs

CLEVELAND at INDIANA

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Monday, Bankers Life Fieldhouse

TV: Fox Sports Indiana

Radio: WFNI-AM (1070), -FM (93.5)



Cavaliers (34-12)

Projected starters

Pos;Player;PPG;Key stat

PG; Kyrie Irving; 16.4 ppg; 6.4 apg

SG; J.R. Smith; 12.2 ppg; 39.0 3pt%

SF; LeBron James; 24.9 ppg; 7.1 rpg

PF; Kevin Love; 16.1 ppg; 10.7 rpg

C; Timofey Mozgov; 6.4 ppg; 4.3 rpg

6th; Tristan Thompson; 7.9 ppg; 9.4 rpg

Pacers (25-22)

Projected starters

Pos;Player;PPG;Key stat

PG; George Hill; 12.8 ppg; 43.4 3pt%

SG; Monta Ellis; 14.3 ppg; 5.0 apg

SF; Paul George; 23.5 ppg; 7.1 rpg

PF; Myles Turner; 9.3 ppg; 1.4 bpg

C; Ian Mahinmi; 8.5 ppg; 7.1 rpg

6th; C.J. Miles; 12.1 ppg; 34.9 3pt%

Storylines

CAVALIERS’ OFFENSE TAKES FLIGHT: Since coach David Blatt was fired, the Cavaliers have wanted to play at a faster tempo under new coach Tyronn Lue (sound familiar, Pacers fans?). The Cavaliers have succeeded in the early stages with Lue. Cleveland has scored at least 114 points in their last four games, all of which were comfortable wins.

PACERS RELY ON ANOTHER LINEUP: Saturday’s game marked the Pacers' 12th starting combination. The change came shortly before the start of the game as Jordan Hill replaced an injured Ian Mahinmi (sore lower back) at center. As coach Frank Vogel looks to find the right chemistry on the court, the Pacers have had a different starting combination in seven of their last nine games.

WHAT IS HILL SAYING: “The last couple games has change our confidence. Guys are starting to have a different vibe. Winning that game as our first overtime game over the year is a great confidence booster for us.” – George Hill on the mentality of the Pacers after they beat the Denver Nuggets in overtime to win their second consecutive game.

PREDICTION: The Pacers are playing better and are hoping to end their four-game homestand with a winning record. LeBron James, however, is still the best player in the Eastern Conference, and, like so many times against the Pacers, he will be the difference. Cavaliers 111, Pacers 108.

– Nate Taylor