Indiana Pacers (21-18) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-4)
January 12, 2025 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Cleveland Cavaliers -8.5; Over/Under: 238.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers meet Sunday in NBA action at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Here’s a Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Cavaliers vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers beat the Warriors and Bulls, and they play the Pistons, 76ers, and Spurs next. The Indiana Pacers are averaging 115.4 points on 49 percent shooting and allowing 115.5 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 19.9 points and 7.3 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.5 points and 3.6 rebounds. Benedict Mathurin is the third double-digit scorer and Myles Turner is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.6 rebounds per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Thunder and Raptors, and they play the Thunder, Timberwolves, and Suns next. The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122.9 points on 50.5 percent shooting and allowing 111.4 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 22.9 points and 4.6 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 21 points and 6.7 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 10.2 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.6 rebounds per game.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last 12 games.
- The Pacers have lost each of their last eight road games against Cavaliers teams that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last eight home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games against Central Division opponents following a win.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last six night games.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last six night games.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four home games following a win.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Darius Garland is the only qualified player in the league shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line this season.
- Jarrett Allen ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (70.6%) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.1) this season.
- Tyrese Haliburton ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.8) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.5%).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for three-point percentage this season (40.5%).
- The Pacers rank 30th for second-chance points (401) this season.
- The Pacers rank 30th for second-chance points per game (10.3) this season.
Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction
I’ve been backing the Indiana Pacers a lot these last couple of weeks since they’ve turned their season around. The Pacers are a lot more consistent offensively, and their defense has shown some improvement. The Pacers have a pep in their step in terms of confidence, and they’ve covered seven of their last 10 games. I wouldn’t talk you off the ledge if you see value in the free points. With that said, the Cleveland Cavaliers are not only 33-4 SU on the season, but they’re 20-1 SU at home and 26-11 ATS on the year. With a cover percentage of 70.2 percent, only the Thunder are better at covering numbers this season than the Cavs. I’ve said many times this year, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I’ll keep blindly backing the Cavs until the tickets stop cashing.
