Pacers vs. Cavaliers Prediction and Odds: Indiana Lead 1-0 after Game 1 Upset

Tuesday night’s NBA schedule features an exciting matchup between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers! Game 1 resulted in an upset victory for Indiana behind the play of Tyrese Haliburton. Donovan Mitchell and his hobbled Cavaliers will try to level the series before hitting the road for Games 3 and 4. For new users at FanDuel Sportsbook, you can bet $5 and receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins!

For the best NBA game previews, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2024-25 NBA season! New sports bettors supporting their hometown Cleveland Cavaliers can take advantage of the top Ohio sportsbook promos and bonuses before their matchup against the Indiana Pacers tips off!

The Indiana Pacers will try to go up 2-0 on Tuesday night as they try to leverage their incredible Game 1 offensive performance into another victory in Game 2. The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to stop them, level the series, and hit the road for Games 3 and 4 despite some lingering injuries to key players Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Game 2 tips off at 7:00 PM EST at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio!

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Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

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Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick

• My Pick: Spread - Indiana Pacers +9.0 (-110) at FanDuel

The Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are set for another exciting match. The Pacers will pit their ferocious tempo against the Cavaliers’ stalwart defense. Expect a more competitive match, as Cleveland is unlikely to struggle as much from three in Game 2 as they did in Game 1. Regardless of the result, we expect a competitive, high-scoring affair as both teams are desperate for a result.

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Indiana Pacers Preview

The Indiana Pacers started by winning Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their East-leading opponents will try to level the series, but don't expect Indiana to change their game plan. Indiana will try to go up 2-0 in the fast-paced and full-throttle series.

Game 1 was an excellent showing for the Indiana Pacers, who took home court advantage and the lead in the series. The offense is their calling card, and they were unstoppable, scoring 121 points with 19 made threes on 53.0% from the field and 52.8% from three-point range. A product of their playstyle but still worth cleaning up, the Pacers can improve on the 17 turnovers they committed in Game 1 when they tip off on Tuesday night.

Tyrese Haliburton led the way for the Pacers in Game 1, putting up 22 points, 13 assists, and two made threes. But backcourt partner Andrew Nembhard was just as valuable, producing 23 points, six assists, and five made threes. Their starting lineup was excellent overall, with each player scoring in double digits, accounting for 76.0% of the team's total.

The Indiana Pacers were one of the league's worst teams against the spread this season, posting a 40-45-3 ATS Record, 22nd in the NBA.  They have a 47.1% cover percentage, a +2.6 margin of victory, and a -0.7 ATS +/-. In Game 1, the Pacers won outright (+294), covered the spread (+8.5), and hit over the total (229.0).

Regarding the Indiana Pacers injury report: (C) Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) is out for the season.

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Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

Despite their first-round sweep of Miami, the Cleveland Cavaliers were dealt a harsh blow when they dropped Game 1 to the Indiana Pacers. They’ll try to level the series on Tuesday night or face the prospect of two road games while down 0-2.

Without Darius Garland, the Cleveland Cavaliers struggled to keep pace with Indiana in Game 1. They scored 112 points on 45.9% shooting but struggled from three, hitting just nine points on 23.7% efficiency. They were competitive in most aspects, but their lack of three-point shooting and playmaking limited their ability to maintain a home-court advantage.

As expected, Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers, posting 33 points, five rebounds, and four assists, but he went just 1-of-11 from three. Evan Mobley supported them with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and two threes, but production was sparse beyond them. Ty Jerome, at least, was excellent off the bench, scoring 21 with eight assists, a production he’ll need to maintain with Garland’s participation in the air.

The Cavaliers were among the best teams against the spread this season, posting a 51-35-1 ATS Record, second in the NBA. They have a 59.3% cover percentage, a +10.3 margin of victory, and a +2.6 ATS +/- this season. The Cavaliers hit over the total in Game 1 (229.0).

Regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers injury report: (G) Darius Garland (Toe), (F) Evan Mobley (Ankle), and (F) De’Andre Hunter (Thumb) are listed as Game Time Decisions ahead of Game 2.

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How to Watch Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

• Teams: Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

• Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH

• Date: 7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 6, 2025

• TV:  TNT, truTV, Max