Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction 5/4/25 NBA Picks Today

The Indiana Pacers are coming into this series fresh off a 4-1 series win over the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Pascal Siakam has been leading them in the scoring with averages of 19.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Tyrese Haliburton averaged 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 11.6 assists per game. Myles Turner averaged 16.8 points and 2.2 blocks per game, while Andrew Nembhard is averaging 15.0 points and 4.8 assists per game.

As a team, the Pacers scored 117.8 points per game while shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from the 3-point line. But the most encouraging aspect from their effort in the first round is that they have a total of seven players averaging at least 10 points per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be fully rested as they are coming into this one as they were able to sweep the Heat with ease in the first round of the playoffs. Darius Garland missed a couple of games but is leading the team in scoring with an average of 24.0 points and 7.0 assists per game. Donovan Mitchell has averaged 23.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Ty Jerome and Evan Mobley are both averaging 16.3 points per game, while Jarrett Allen has averaged 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game so far in these playoffs.

As a team, the Cavaliers are scoring 126.0 points per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from the 3-point line. On the defensive end, the Cavaliers allowed just 106.0 points per game, and the average margin of victory in the sweep was 30.5 points per game.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win

• The Cavaliers have won each of their last 10 games when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Pacers have lost each of their last nine playoff road games against Central Division opponents following a win.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 road games following a win.
• The Cavaliers have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games when playing with a rest advantage.

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won each of their last nine Sunday games.
• The Cavaliers have lost four of their last five Eastern Conference Semifinals games.
• The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games at Rocket Arena following a road win.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last nine Sunday games.

Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts

• Jarrett Allen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
• Ty Jerome ranks 4th amongst qualified players for 3P% (43.9%) this season.

Indiana Pacers Player Facts

• Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
• Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.

Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction

The Pacers are slightly shorthanded once again with Isaiah Jackson still ruled out, while the Cavaliers are keeping an eye on Darius Garland, who sat out the last two games and is questionable with a toe injury. These teams met four times in the regular season, with the Pacers winning the series by 3-1.

The Cavaliers could be missing Garland once again, but the Cavaliers are still clear favorites at home, where they finished with a 34-7 record this season. You can make an argument for either side, but the Cavaliers have looked near unbeatable during these playoffs. I think they draw first blood with a relatively comfortable win and cover at home behind big games from Mitchell and Mobley.