The Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers meet Tuesday in the NBA playoffs Game 5 at the Rocket Arena. Here’s a Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Cavaliers vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers look to make the conference finals in back-to-back seasons. The Pacers have won 22 of their last 28 games. The Pacers have won their last three road playoff games.
The Indiana Pacers are averaging 118.1 points on 50.1 percent shooting and allowing 113 points on 44.5 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 18.6 points and 6 rebounds, while Myles Turner is averaging 17.2 points and 5.9 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Nesmith is grabbing 5.8 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and 79.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.9 rebounds per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win to force a game 6 on Thursday. The Cavs have seen 11 of their 21 losses come since March 16. The Cavs have lost their last two home playoff games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 121.3 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 107 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 28.9 points and 4.3 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 19.8 points and 5.8 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 9 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 83.6 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 37.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.5 rebounds per game.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won 13 of their last 14 games at Rocket Arena following a road loss.
- The Pacers have lost each of their last five Game 5s of an Eastern Conference Semifinals series.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Central Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in six of their last seven playoff games following a loss.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Pacers’ last five Eastern Conference Semifinals games.
- The Cavaliers have lost three of their last four games as favorites.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last eight playoff road games against the Cavaliers.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 playoff home games against Central Division opponents.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
- De’Andre Hunter is one of only five players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
- Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.
Cavaliers vs Pacers Injury Report
Donovan Mitchell is questionable for the Cavs due to an ankle injury. Mitchell played just 20 minutes in a game 4 loss. The Cavs were 9-2 SU this season without Mitchell.
The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.
Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction
The Cavs are 36-9 SU at home this season and 52-37-1 ATS on the season. Only the Thunder have made NBA bettors more money, so it’s reasonable to see why they’re favored in a must-win game. However, the Pacers have simply been the better team in this series and have now won five of the last six games against the Cavs. Since March 17, the Pacers are 7-4 SU and 8-3 ATS in 11 games as an underdog.
We’re also now seeing Mitchell on the injury report, and if he doesn’t play, it’s fair to say this line drastically shifts and the Cavaliers probably lose outright. If you like the Pacers, you should probably grab this line now. I’ve been on the Pacers every game of this series, and there’s no reason to turn back now. Give me the Pacers and the points.