The Cleveland Cavaliers (34-21) visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers (19-37). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Cavaliers vs. Pacers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
With several key injuries, the Cavaliers made it known they were looking to compete this season by adding Pacers star SG Caris LeVert prior to the trade deadline. The Cavaliers have been among the best teams in the NBA to bet on, posting a 33-20-2 against the spread (ATS) record.
They’ve managed that behind their stellar defense which ranks No. 1 in opponents’ points per game (101.9 PPG). Cleveland is just 4-5-1 ATS as an away favorite though.
The Pacers, who may finally get back PG Malcolm Brogdon, were also active at the deadline, bringing in Kings PG Tyrese Haliburton and trading leading scorer PF Domantas Sabonis.
The Pacers are just 25-28-3 ATS this season. Despite a 19-37 overall record, Indiana is 13-15 at home.
Cavaliers at Pacers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:09 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cavaliers -340 (bet $340 to win $100) | Pacers +260 (bet $100 to win $260)
- Against the spread: Cavaliers -7.5 (-105) | Pacers +7.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Cavaliers at Pacers key injuries
Cavaliers
- PF Lauri Markkanen (ankle) out
Pacers
- PG Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) questionable
- F Isaiah Jackson (ankle) questionable
- SG Terry Taylor (illness) questionable
- C Myles Turner (foot) out
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Cavaliers at Pacers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 108, Pacers 99
Money line
PASS.
As noted, the Pacers play better at home and that should be enough to warrant a pass on the Cavaliers -340 money line. Similarly, Indiana (+260) is without many key starters, making an upset unlikely.
Against the spread
LEAN to the CAVALIERS -7.5 (-105).
The Cavaliers are looking to contend, and the Pacers are on the other side, potentially staring a rebuild in the face. Indiana’s strong homecourt advantage gets put aside when realizing it traded its two top scorers.
Indiana ranks 17th in points per game (108.8 PPG) and scored just 85 as Cleveland covered a 7-point spread in a 13-point win last time these two teams met. Both teams rank in the bottom third of the league in turnover rate, and there isn’t a significant advantage on the glass.
Despite that, the Cavs rank 10th in true shooting whereas the Pacers sit 23nd. The Cavs’ elite defensive efficiency, holding opponents to the third-lowest shooting percentage, should be the key difference.
They’ve covered 3 in a row, and with the Pacers failing to cover 4 in a row, the preferred side to back is CLEVELAND -7.5 (-105).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 213.5 (-115).
Given the size Cleveland has in the paint, points are not easy to come by, one reason for it’s 20-35 O/U. More recently, the Cavs are 3-7 O/U in their last 10.
Indiana and Cleveland went far under the O/U 212.5 line in their last meeting, which the Cavs won 98-85 Feb. 6.
The Over has hit in 7 of the Pacers’ last 10 games, but considering their recent trades and discontinuity with the recent additions, fewer points seem to be the better option to back.
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