Cavaliers vs. Pacers Picks and Prediction – 5/11/2025

Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2) vs. Indiana Pacers (2-1)
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
TV: TNT, truTV, Max

Previous Game:

  • Game 3 Result: Cavaliers 126, Pacers 104

  • Series: Indiana leads 2-1

Head-to-Head:

Cleveland snapped Indiana’s early momentum in Game 3 with a dominant performance, particularly in the second quarter where they outscored the Pacers by 21. The Cavaliers shot efficiently and punished Indiana on the boards, holding a +19 rebound margin.

Cleveland Cavaliers Breakdown:

The Cavaliers responded with force in Game 3, shooting nearly 50% and controlling the glass with 56 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell exploded for 43 points, backed by Jarrett Allen’s 19-point, 12-rebound effort. Their playoff-leading offensive efficiency showed up, and with Darius Garland easing back into form, Cleveland seems to be finding its rhythm at the right time.

Key Players:

  • Donovan Mitchell: 22.8 PPG, 3.8 APG

  • Jarrett Allen: 9.5 RPG, 66% FG

  • Max Strus: 41.0% 3PT

Indiana Pacers Breakdown:

Despite a hot start to the series, Indiana faltered in Game 3 with poor perimeter shooting (9-for-30 from deep) and defensive rebounding. Their offensive pace remains a weapon, but they’ll need better efficiency and a bounce-back from Tyrese Haliburton, who was held in check last game.

Key Players:

  • Pascal Siakam: 14.6 PPG, 54.3% FG

  • Tyrese Haliburton: 8.0 APG

  • Bennedict Mathurin: 23 points off the bench in Game 3

Betting Trends:

Cleveland Cavaliers:

  • Covered -5 in 4 straight road games

  • 5-2 SU in last 7 games

  • 6 of last 8 games have gone OVER

Indiana Pacers:

  • 16-3 SU in last 19 home games

  • 6-3 ATS in last 9

  • OVER in 4 of last 5 games

Exact Score Prediction:

Cleveland Cavaliers 118 – Indiana Pacers 112

Our Best Bet:

Cleveland Cavaliers -5.5 (-110)

Cleveland made all the right adjustments in Game 3 and looked dominant on both ends, especially on the boards and in transition. With Garland back and Mitchell locked in, expect the Cavs to carry that momentum and even the series. Indiana’s defensive lapses and rebounding woes are too much to ignore here.

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