Indiana @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 12, 2018 ) Cleveland 95, Indiana 97

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-10 since Christmas and not even a team meeting and an airing of grievances seemed to help the team. The Cavaliers will try to avoid a third consecutive loss when they host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Cleveland held a team meeting on Monday that included coach Tyronn Lue and general manager Koby Altman and reportedly got quite heated, but nothing much changed on the court as the team dropped a 114-102 decision at San Antonio on Tuesday that marked its sixth loss in the last seven games. "When it gets tough, we've just got to stay together," Lue told reporters. "Some guys are frustrated because they missed shots. Some guys are frustrated because they can't get their rhythm. Some guys are frustrated when they get scored on. So, I think it's a combination of a lot of things. But for the most part, (we've) just got to stay together and continue to play the game." The Pacers added to Cleveland's misery by overcoming a 22-point deficit to down the Cavaliers 97-95 on Jan. 12 and are winners of seven of their last 10. Indiana comes into Friday's meeting with a head of steam after building a 38-point lead in the third quarter and cruising past the Phoenix Suns 116-101 on Wednesday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Indiana, FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE PACERS (26-22): Victor Oladipo was named to his first All-Star Game on Tuesday and celebrated with 21 points and nine assists in 33 minutes against the Suns. "He and I talked about the way to play the game and I think he plays the game the right way," Indiana coach Nate McMillan told reporters of Oladipo. "Those are the type of plays that he has to make. He's capable of making them. When teams are committing two to him, he has to be a willing passer and give up the ball. I thought (Wednesday) he did that. That's going to open up some things for him later against other teams." Oladipo scored 19 points in the Jan. 12 win while Lance Stephenson collected 16 points and 11 rebounds and played strong defense against Cleveland superstar LeBron James.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (27-19): Lue signaled after Tuesday's loss that there could be changes coming to the lineup soon, but James is likely to continue carrying a heavy load. The All-Star captain became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 30,000 points Tuesday in one of the rare positive moments for the team of late. "It's a great accomplishment, great achievement," Lue told reporters. "I wish we could've won the game, but for a guy who's always been pass-first and looking to make his teammates better, to be the youngest guy to score 30,000 points is a great accomplishment."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pacers SG Bojan Bogdanovic went 3-of-5 from 3-point range on Wednesday after going 2-of-13 in his previous three games.

2. Cavaliers SG JR Smith is shooting 25 percent from the field over the last seven games.

3. Indiana took each of the first three meetings this season, including a 124-107 win at Cleveland on Nov. 1.

PREDICTION: Pacers 122, Cavaliers 112