The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers meet Friday in the NBA playoffs Game 3 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s a Pacers vs Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Pacers vs Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win to have any chance of winning this series. The Cavs have seen 10 of their 20 losses come since March 16. The Cavs have lost three or more straight games just twice this season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122.5 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 103.8 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 29.3 points and 4.8 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 24 points and 7 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 9.7 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 84.7 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 38.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers are 6-1 in these playoffs and have a chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Pacers have won 21 of their last 26 games. The Pacers have lost two home games since February 26.
The Indiana Pacers are averaging 118.6 points on 50.6 percent shooting and allowing 111.7 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.4 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam is averaging 18.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Myles Turner is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Nesmith is grabbing 6.3 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 34.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last seven home games against Central Division opponents.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last five games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 playoff games against Central Division opponents.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine playoff games against the Cavaliers.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last eight road games against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The Pacers have lost Game 3 in four of their last five playoff series’ when leading the series 2-0.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Cavaliers and Pacers.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home games against Eastern Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
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.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
- Ty Jerome ranks 4th amongst qualified players for 3P% (43.9%) this season.
Pacers vs Cavaliers Injury Report
Darius Garland is questionable for the Cavaliers with a toe injury. Garland hasn’t played since game 2 of the first round. De’Andre Hunter is questionable with a thumb injury after missing game 2. Evan Mobley is questionable with an ankle injury after missing game 2.
The Pacers will continue to be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles.
Pacers vs Cavaliers Prediction
This line makes absolutely no sense to me. It’s 100 percent riding on this being a must-win for the Cavs and just assuming they’ll find a way. However, that’s an insane way to go about things. The Cavs are still dealing with injuries to three of their best players, and the Pacers have played great ball over these last few months, which includes wins in 21 of their last 26 games.
The Pacers are lighting the world on fire offensively, and usually role players play even better at home. The Pacers have covered seven of their last nine games, and six of those covers were outright wins. This is a good Pacers team that has the offensive horses to beat anybody in this field. I like the Pacers to win outright, regardless of the Cavs injury report. The Pacers go up 3-0 in the series.