The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Tip-off for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals is set for 7:00PM ET. Cleveland is the top seed in the East at 64-18, while Indiana is the fourth seed at 50-32. The Pacers lead the series 3-1.
Indiana has dominated in Cleveland this season, winning all four games there, including two playoff matchups. The Cavaliers dropped Game 4 in Indiana by 20 points. Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable after aggravating his ankle injury during that game.
CAVS Preview – Can They Stay Alive at Home?
Cleveland had a strong regular season with 69 total wins and one of the best 3-point shooting marks in the NBA. But that shooting has fallen off in this series. They’ve made just 30.2% of their threes after hitting 38.3% in the regular season.
Mitchell is averaging 34 points in the series but is dealing with multiple injuries. Darius Garland scored 21 points in Game 4 and continues to be the second option. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley were held to just 12 points and 7 rebounds combined in the loss on Sunday.
The Cavaliers need to fix their defense and shooting to stay in this series. Cleveland gave up a playoff-record-tying 41-point halftime deficit in Game 4. They are 33-12 at home this year, but that hasn’t helped them against the Pacers so far.
PACERS Preview – Closing Time on the Road?
Indiana has won three straight games in this series and now has a chance to close things out. The Pacers blew out the Cavs 129-109 in Game 4 behind strong efforts from Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. The frontcourt duo combined for 41 points and 13 rebounds.
Tyrese Haliburton is leading the offense, while Andrew Nembhard has done a solid job running the point. Bennedict Mathurin was ejected in Game 4 but the Pacers still dominated. Indiana hit their shots early and held Cleveland to just 45.5% shooting overall.
Indiana has been one of the best fourth-quarter teams this season and is also strong in the second quarter on the road. They’ve covered in four of their last five trips to Cleveland and lead the overall season series 6-4. They are 23-21 away from home, but 4-0 in Cleveland this year.
Betting Prediction
The Cavaliers are -9.5 favorites at home with the total set at 230.0. That spread is big considering Indiana has won all four games in Cleveland and three games in this series. Mitchell’s injury status also brings uncertainty to Cleveland’s offense.
Indiana’s balance and defense have been the difference. The Pacers are getting key stops and have been the more efficient team from the field. If Mitchell is not close to 100%, it’s hard to see the Cavaliers winning by double digits. Indiana is the safer pick with the points.
Pick: Indiana +9.5
Take the Pacers to cover this spread over the Cavaliers on Tuesday in the NBA Playoffs.
