The No.4 seed Indiana Pacers meet the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in second-round NBA playoff action. Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers settle into the role of underdogs against the juggernaut Cleveland Cavaliers as this best-of-seven-series gets underway from Rocket Arena on Sunday, May 4.
Don't miss my Pacers vs Cavaliers second round betting preview, with odds and picks:
Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Series Winner Odds
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | +400 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -520 |
Odds as of May 4th at Sportsbook
matchups this season. The Cavaliers carried over their regular season momentum to the first-round, scoring an unbelievable 136.2 points per 100 possessions. Should Cleveland get anywhere close to that number, this series will be over quickly.
Having said that, the Pacers will be buoyed by their regular season success. Additionally, Indiana ranked just behind Cleveland in fourth quarter points (29.8 to 29.3), and Rick Carlisle will be confident his depth and scoring ability can go head-to-head with the Cavaliers.
Pacers vs Cavaliers Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sun. May 4, 2025 | 6 p.m. | Rocket Arena |
| Game 2 | Tues. May 6, 2025 | 7 p.m. | Rocket Arena |
| Game 3 | Fri. May 9, 2025 | 8 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Game 4 | Sun. May 11, 2025 | 8 p.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Tues. May 13, 2025 | TBD | Rocket Arena |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Thur. May 15, 2025 | TBD | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Sunday May 18, 2025 | TBD | Rocket Arena |
Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers 2024-25 Spread and Total Betting History
| Date | Spread & Score Result | Total Points & Result |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 12, 2025 | Indiana 126 @ Cleveland 118 (+7) Pacers Cover | O/U 226.5 (UNDER) |
| Jan 14, 2025 | Cleveland 112 @ Indiana 114 (-10) Pacers Cover | O/U 234.5 (OVER) |
| Apr 10, 2025 | Cleveland 127 @ Indiana 117 (+8) Cavaliers Cover | O/U 231.5 (OVER) |
| Apr 13, 2025 | Indiana 108 @ Cleveland 93 (-9) Pacers Cover | O/U 239.5 (OVER) |
Indiana fared surprisingly well against Cleveland this season going 3-1 SU and ATS. However, only the January matchups features both teams at full strength, as both teams had more of less shut down their starters by the time the April games rolled around.
Keep in mind, these teams are an even 5-5 SU And ATS in their last 10 games. But, Indiana has fared far better on the road, going 5-1 ATS in their last seven games in Cleveland.
Pacers Player to Watch: Andrew Nembhard
Can Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton outduel Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland? Is the question that will define this Pacers vs Cavalier series. Nembhard scored 15 points on 49% shooting and shot an outstanding 50% from three in the first-round while playing outstanding defense against all of Milwaukee's perimeter threats.
Crucially, Nembhard shot over 50% from the mid-range in the first round, and will need to keep up his hot shooting to help the Pacers unlock Cleveland's vaunted interior defense.
Cavaliers Player to Watch: Donovan Mitchell
Anytime you're tying one of Michael Jordan's records, you're doing something right. Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points in Game 1 against Miami, equaling MJ's total of seven 30-point Game 1 performances.
Mitchell efficiently and effectively torched the Heat, scoring 23.8 points on 48% shooting from the field while knocking down 45% of threes. Keep an eye out on Mitchell's scoring prop in Game 1. If the All-Star can continue to eviscerate defenses with outstanding efficiency, Cleveland will be a tough out.
Pacers vs Cavaliers Expert Prediction: Series Correct Score Cavaliers 4-1 +240
Ultimately, the Cavaliers outstanding offense will be too much for the Pacers to overcome. Cleveland decimated Miami's top-10 defense in the first round, putting up the highest effective field goal percentage (63%) in any playoff series in NBA history. While the Pacers defense improved over the second-half of the season, the Cavaliers have too many weapons for Indiana to handle.
Look for Indiana to win a game at home, before Cleveland takes control of the series.
