Pacers vs. Cavaliers Picks and Prediction – 5/6/2025

Indiana Pacers (47-35) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34)
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
TV: TNT, truTV, Max

Previous Games:

  • Pacers: Won Game 1 on the road, 121-112

  • Cavaliers: Lost Game 1 despite 33 points from Donovan Mitchell

Head-to-Head:

Indiana leads the series 1-0 after a convincing win in Game 1, shooting 53% from the field and tallying 30 assists on 43 made field goals. The Pacers have now covered the spread in 8 of their last 10 meetings against Cleveland.

Indiana Pacers Breakdown:

The Pacers have won 8 of their last 10 games, riding one of the most efficient offenses in the league. They’re averaging 116.9 PPG, with Tyrese Haliburton (22 PTS, 13 AST in Game 1) and Andrew Nembhard (23 PTS) leading the way. Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith continue to provide strong secondary scoring. Indiana also boasts the second-highest offensive efficiency in the playoffs behind Cleveland.

Key Players:

  • Tyrese Haliburton: 15.5 PPG, 8.7 APG

  • Pascal Siakam: 17.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG

  • Andrew Nembhard: 23 PTS in Game 1

Cleveland Cavaliers Breakdown:

The Cavaliers were dominant at home during the regular season, going 34-7, but struggled in Game 1 with 29 missed threes (9-38) and only 22 points in the 4th quarter. Donovan Mitchell put up 33 points, while Evan Mobley and Ty Jerome combined for 41 points. Still, Cleveland’s recent offensive inconsistency is a concern, especially with Darius Garland (toe) questionable again.

Key Players:

  • Donovan Mitchell: 15.6 PPG, 4.3 APG

  • Evan Mobley: 20 PTS, 10 REB in Game 1

  • Ty Jerome: 21 PTS, 8 AST off the bench

Betting Trends:

Indiana Pacers:

  • 9-2 SU in last 11 games

  • Covered +8.5 in 17 of last 20

  • 7-3 to the OVER in last 10

Cleveland Cavaliers:

  • 6-4 SU in last 10 games

  • Failed to cover -8.5 in 12 of last 20

  • 6-4 to the OVER in last 10

Exact Score Prediction:

Cleveland Cavaliers 117 – Indiana Pacers 114

Our Best Bet:

Indiana Pacers +8.5 (-110)

Indiana’s ability to share the ball and hit open looks gives them a clear edge at covering large spreads. With their recent form and the Cavs’ shaky shooting, this game projects to be another close contest. Cleveland may tie the series, but expecting them to win by double digits again isn’t justified by recent play.

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