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The Indiana Pacers (1-0) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1-1) meet Saturday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pacers vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting of 2023; Cavs won last season’s series 3-2
The Pacers belted the Washington Wizards by a 143-120 score Wednesday, covering a 4.5-point number as the Over (235) easily connected.
Indiana hit 52.0% (56-of-107) from the field, while knocking down 47.0% (20-of-43) from behind the 3-point line. The Pacers were also an impressive 92.0% (11-of-12) from the charity stripe. Eight different players scored 11 or more points, with G Tyrese Haliburton going for 20 points and 11 assists for a double-double. The latter is under the weather, and listed as questionable for Saturday.
Cleveland opened the season with a 114-113 win in Brooklyn Wednesday, while suffering a 108-105 loss at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Cavs have failed to cover either outing, while splitting the Over and Under so far.
Pacers at Cavaliers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacers +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Cavaliers -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +3.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Pacers at Cavaliers key injuries
Pacers
- G Tyrese Haliburton (illness) questionable
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (ankle) questionable
- G Darius Garland (hamstring) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pacers at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 111, Pacers 108
Moneyline
The CAVALIERS (-145) are worth playing lightly, although there is plenty of risk. First off, Cleveland suffered a setback against OKC at home Friday. Playing in a back-to-backs situation can be difficult, and they played Friday’s game without Allen or Garland. Both are listed as questionable for the second end of the back-to-back.
Against the spread
The PACERS +3.5 (-115) are worth a look on the road, as this should be a close battle, and potentially a one-score game.
Indiana has covered 3 of the past 4 meetings, including both battles in Cleveland last season. The Cavaliers -3.5 (-105) aren’t quite at 100 percent, and they’re 0-2 ATS so far. Back the visitors.
Over/Under
UNDER 223.5 (-105) is worth a look, but go lightly.
The Under has cashed in the past 2 meetings in this series. It’s a risky play after Indiana dropped 143 points in the opener. However, with Haliburton green in the gills, the Pacers offense should drop off a bit. Plus, there is no way Indiana can sustain the amazing type shooting it had in the opener.
The Under cashed in Friday’s game for the Cavs against OKC, too, and they might have to do it again without Allen and Garland, 2 starters.
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