CAVALIERS (9-4) 105, INDIANA PACERS (5-5) 95
at Canseco Fieldhouse
Nov. 20, 2009, 7 p.m.

WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavs were dreadful defensively for three quarters. Coach Mike Brown started the fourth quarter with Anderson Varejao, Jamario Moon, J.J. Hickson, Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson.

They stopped the Pacers in their tracks.

The Cavs held the Pacers to 22 percent shooting in the fourth quarter (4 of 18). That kind of intensity on the defensive end hadn't been there through the first three quarters.

ANDY'S BACK: F/C Anderson Varejao makes a big difference on this team. That's why they were willing to possibly overpay for his services in free agency last summer.

He missed the previous two games with a bruised hip.

"It’s very painful," Varejao said.

Varejao had 10 points and seven rebounds on Friday against the Pacers.

"Andy’s presence alone was huge for us," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "I thought he played a terrific game on both ends of the floor."

NOW WE KNOW: Have you been wondering where C Shaquille O'Neal has been? Take a look at this.

He supposedly has a strained shoulder. Sorry, but I don't buy it.

DANNY BOY: Pacers F Danny Granger is a talented player. He's no LeBron James, but he's pretty darn good. He had 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

"He is their guy," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "He’s shown he is fearless and has unlimited range. You build around a guy in that mold. He does for his team what LeBron does for us."

NOTES: F Jamario Moon might have tweaked his ankle in the fourth quarter of Friday's game.
-- The Cavs outscored the Pacers at the foul line, 27-15.
-- Pacers coach Jim O’Brien was ejected 7 minutes into the game. Assistant Lester Conner took over the coaching duties.
-- James was asked after the game whether he wants the ball in his hands down the stretch. "Son, how long have you been doing this?" James asked. The Associated Press reporter was likely older than the 24-year-old James.
-- Pacers swingman Mike Dunleavy will likely make his season debut within the next week or so. Dunleavy, who has been out with a knee problem, recently started practicing full court. “I'm trying to get everything back all at once: conditioning, timing, strength, etc.,” Dunleavy wrote on his blog on Pacers.com. “It's not like I've been out six weeks; it's been nine months since I've played so this takes some time.”
-- Pacers guard Travis Diener underwent surgery on the big toe of his left foot on Friday. He’s expected to be out four to six weeks.

STARTERS
Cavs
F LeBron James
F J.J. Hickson
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas
G Mo Williams
G Anthony Parker
Pacers
F Danny Granger
F Dahntay Jones
C Roy Hibbert
G T.J. Ford
G Brandon Rush
Officials - Ron Garretson, Pat Fraher, Haywoode Workman
Inactives
Cavs - Shaquille O'Neal, Leon Powe, Coby Karl
Pacers - Travis Diener, Jeff Foster, Mike Dunleavy