INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers were shorthanded against the best home team in the Eastern Conference, giving them little chance to end one of the longest road losing streaks in NBA history.
Jermaine O'Neal scored 24 points to lead five players in double figures and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers held on for a 95-85 victory over the Cavaliers.
Cleveland has lost 34 consecutive road games since winning in Seattle on January 12. It matched the second-longest skid in league history, which was set by the New Jersey Nets from December 23, 1989 to November 21, 1990.
"We don't think about it," Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. "Obviously, it's in the back of everyone's mind, but we are trying hard and it will happen in time."
The Cavaliers had only nine players available after sending Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm and Michael Stewart to the Boston Celtics in a six-player trade prior to the game.
"I think we'll have a tougher team," said Cleveland coach Paul Silas, who benched Davis earlier this season. "We will now have more mature, experienced players who have frequented playoff and winning situations."
Despite the lack of firepower, Cleveland rallied from an 11-point deficit and led briefly in the third quarter.
Indiana had a 74-72 edge with just over nine minutes left before reeling off seven straight points. Fred Jones buried a 3-pointer and Al Harrington had a dunk before O'Neal sank two free throws for an 81-72 cushion at the 7:56 mark.
The Cavaliers pulled within 89-95 with 46 seconds left, but Harrington, O'Neal and Anthony Johnson each buried a pair of free throws in the final 31 seconds for the Pacers.
Ron Artest had 16 points and seven assists and Al Harrington added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won 10 of 12 games at Conseco Fieldhouse this season.
"If you're going to be a team that wins in the playoffs, you have to establish yourself at home," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. "We've done better in the home games."
Johnson had 13 points and six assists off the bench and O'Neal had a season-high six assists as Indiana recorded a season-best 30 on 37 baskets.
Rookie LeBron James scored 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting as Cleveland lost for the ninth time in its last 12 games overall.
Ira Newble had 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting for the Cavaliers, who shot 51 percent (35-of-69) from the floor but committed 21 turnovers, leading to 20 points.
"We battled the best team in the Eastern Conference for 48 minutes," Cavaliers forward Carlos Boozer said. "I think it is a great sign for this team."
