Cavaliers end regular season with 64 wins after reserves blow a 27-point lead in loss to the Pacers

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers put the wraps on a 64-win season Sunday. It took a lot of work not to make it a 65-win season though. The Cavs blew a 27-point lead in the regular-season finale, falling 126-118 in double overtime to the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Arena. Even though it resembled a Summer League game with the Cavs resting nine players — Darius Garland, De'Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Mitchell — and the Pacers playing without Tyrese Haliburton, Isaiah Jackson, Pascal Siakam and Benedict Mathurin, it was one the Cavs should have won. Still, there were several superlatives in the game, perhaps none better than rookie Jaylon Tyson's career-high 31 points, seven rebounds, three steals and one block. "It gives us more information on him," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. "He could fight for a rotation spot. He's right on the edge. I've been pleased with his defense. He makes some mistakes on offense." Tyson played a career-high 46 minutes and said he's probably going to feel it in the morning. "This was a great test for me," he said. "If I get some run in the playoffs or next year, I'll be ready." Tyson said his first 30-point game in the NBA was nice, but "it doesn't mean much if you don't win." Atkinson said he's intrigued by forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who had 24 points, 12 rebounds and a block before fouling out in 47 minutes. "He was a great find by our scouts," the coach said. "He has a real chance when you have that type of length. He's always around the ball. He has a lot of characteristics that translate in this league. He's an interesting player." Point guard Craig Porter Jr. added 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Unfortunately for him, he committed eight of the Cavs' 22 turnovers. Two of the miscues came late in the game, including one when Pacers guard RayJ Dennis stole the ball and dunked with about five seconds left in regulation that sent the game into overtime tied at 105. "You have to execute late in the game," Atkinson said. Forward Emoni Bates had 25 points on a dazzling 7-of-15 performance from the 3-point line. "As a long-range shooter, there's a place for him in this league," Atkinson said. "He's gotten better. He's improved." Bates said he's played catch-up almost the entire season after having ankle surgery in training camp. Many thought he'd get regular minutes this season but it never happened. Veteran center Tristan Thompson pulled down a season-high 20 rebounds, just two shy of his career high. Atkinson envisions Thompson will be called on at some point in the playoffs when one of the regulars gets in foul trouble or the Cavs need his physicality and rebounding. "We're going to need him," he said. Thompson said Sunday's game was a great learning experience for some of the young players on the roster. "You never know when your number will be called (in the postseason)," he said. "You have to stay sharp." Guard Quenton Jackson had 21 points for the Pacers and center Tony Bradley had 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. The Cavs launched a season-high 60 attempts from the 3-point line but made just 18 (.300). They also had a season-high 114 attempts from the field and made 44 (.386). The game turned in the fourth quarter when Indiana outscored the Cavs 38-20. The Cavs improved their win total by 16 from a season ago, which is tied for the second-largest improvement ever for an NBA team that won 48 or more games in the previous season. Atkinson is the fifth head coach in NBA history to win at least 64 games in his first season with a new team and the 64 are the most since Golden State's Steve Kerr went 67-15 in 2014-15. Cleveland also finished 34-7 at home this season, No. 1 in the East and sixth-best in franchise history. Cleveland's 64-18 record was tops in the East and two shy of the franchise record of 66-16 set in 2008-09. PLAYOFF PREP The Cavs won't know which one of the four teams in the play-in tournament they'll meet in the first round until Friday night. "We have one coach assigned to each team (Orlando, Miami, Chicago and Atlanta)," Atkinson said. "He's been watching (that team) all year." They'll focus on them closer once it's narrowed down to two teams. "Once it starts, it goes quickly," the coach said. "I feel good where we are." MITCHELL'S STATUS Donovan Mitchell missed the final four regular-season games with a sprained left ankle. Atkinson said the veteran guard worked out on the court Saturday. The players will get the day off today. Atkinson said when they return to the practice court Tuesday, Mitchell will participate. "In Donovan we trust," the coach said. "It's important how we build him up." ALL 82 For the second consecutive year, the Cavs had a player appear in all 82 games. Last year, it was since-departed Georges Niang. This year, it was Jarrett Allen. He was replaced less than a minute into Sunday's game by Thompson. Allen did jack up a 3-pointer that was an air ball. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.