The decision to rest LeBron James backfired as defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers lost 103-93 to the Indiana Pacers, just their second defeat of the NBA season on Wednesday night.
James has averaged 23.4 points per game but was rested for the trip to Indianapolis after scoring 28 points against the Toronto Raptors as the Cavaliers matched their best-ever season start with a home victory over Toronto on Tuesday.
Cleveland struggled without their superstar, falling 11 points behind in the first quarter and rarely threatening to get back on terms as they dropped to 9-2.
Jeff Teague added 20 points and eight assists, and Thaddeus Young had 16 points to help the Pacers improve to 6-1 at home and 6-6 overall.
Kevin Love led Cleveland with 27 points and 16 rebounds, and Kyrie Irving had 24 points and seven assists.
Kevin Love contributed 27 points and 16 rebounds for the Pacers, who improved to 6-6.
In New York, a 35-point haul from Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah's 15 rebounds provided the platform for the New York Knicks to beat the Detroit Pistons 105-102.
Porzingis, a 7-foot-3 forward from Latvia, hit three 3-pointers and converted a dazzling three-point play in the first half after dunking a lob pass on the break in the first 30-point game of his two-year career.
Carmelo Anthony added 22 points to help the Knicks win their second straight. Joakim Noah bounced back nicely with seven points and 15 rebounds after he was benched in the second half of the Knicks' victory over Dallas on Monday night.
John Wall's haul of 27 points could not prevent the Washington Wizards slipping to a 109-102 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers, who won for only the second time this season.
The Orlando Magic were without Anthony Davis, who had a bruised leg, but still managed to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 89-82.
The Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 90-83, the Atlanta Hawks were 107-100 winners over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Houston Rockets threw away a six-point lead with six minutes remaining as they lost 105-103 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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