The Indiana Pacers host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Friday, May 9. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 after pulling out two close wins in Cleveland.
Indiana won Game 2 by a final score of 120-119. Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot with 1.1 seconds left to seal it. The Cavaliers are the No. 1 seed in the East after going 64-18 in the regular season, while the Pacers are the No. 4 seed after finishing 50-32. Indiana now has a chance to take control of the series with a win at home.
Pacers Preview – Haliburton Leading the Charge
Tyrese Haliburton has taken over the series. After scoring 22 points and handing out 13 assists in Game 1, he followed that up with 19 points, 9 assists, and a clutch game-winner in Game 2. He’s playing through a wrist wrap but says he will be fine for Game 3.
Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith both scored 23 points in Game 2. Pascal Siakam added 12 points, and Andrew Nembhard had a double-double with 13 points and 13 assists. Indiana’s balanced attack has kept Cleveland off guard late in games.
The Pacers lead the league in scoring at 122.0 points per game. They are second in field goal percentage at 49.1% and also top-five in three-point shooting at 38.3%. Indiana’s passing game is strong too, ranking eighth in assists per game. They’ve hit the moneyline in 46 of their last 64 games and have been profitable in the fourth quarter betting markets.
Cavaliers Preview – Mitchell Carrying the Load
Donovan Mitchell has been dominant despite Cleveland’s losses. He scored 48 points in Game 2, hitting 15-of-30 shots and 17-of-21 free throws. He also added 9 assists and 5 rebounds in the effort. The Cavaliers lost by one point despite his performance.
Max Strus chipped in 23 points, and Jarrett Allen posted 22 points and 12 rebounds. But the rest of the team struggled. Starting guard Ty Jerome shot just 1-of-14 from the floor. Injuries continue to be a major concern with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter all listed as questionable.
Cleveland’s numbers show how efficient they can be. They’re second in the league in shooting at 49.1% and hit 38.3% of their threes. On the road, they’ve covered the spread in 30 of 45 games. They’ve also gone over the total in 58 of their last 90 games. But depth will be a problem again if their starters don’t return.
Betting Prediction
The Cavaliers are listed as 3-point road favorites with a total of 229. The Pacers are 32-11 at home this season and have already won twice in Cleveland. With Haliburton running the offense and Indiana playing fast, they’ve had the edge late in both games.
Cleveland’s depth is being tested. Even with Mitchell playing at an elite level, the Cavaliers may struggle to hold up if Garland and Mobley miss another game. Indiana’s pace and scoring efficiency give them a good shot to cover at home again. The over also looks like a solid play given how the last two games played out.
Pick: Pacers +3
