Thanks to a 46-point performance from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back in a big way in Game 2 to even their first-round series with the Indiana Pacers at one game apiece. The series shifts back to Indiana for Game 3 on Friday. The Cavs have been a poor wager when playing in Indy lately, as Cleveland is 2-9-1 ATS in its past 12 trips to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Sportsbook opened the line for the game as a pick’em with a total of 209.
- The Cavaliers are 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS in their last five games against their division on the road.
- The Pacers are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games.
- The Pacers are 6-2 SU in their last eight games vs divisional opponents.
James scored Cleveland’s first 16 points of the game and the Cavs did just enough late to hang on for a 100-97 victory. In light of an embarrassing 98-80 loss in Game 1, head coach Tyronn Lue inserted veterans Kyle Korver and J.R. Smith into the starting lineup in place of Jeff Green and Rodney Hood, and the move clearly paid off. Korver went 4-for-8 from downtown, and Smith was rock-solid on the defensive end. Kevin Love injured his left thumb in Game 2 but is expected to play tonight.
The Pacers got 32 points from all-star guard Victor Oladipo in Game 1, but the breakout guard was limited to 22 on 9-of-18 shooting while battling foul trouble in Game 2. Indy shot 52.6 percent from the floor in Game 2 but went only 6-for-22 from three-point range while committing 17 turnovers. The Pacers outscored the Cavs 62-30 in the paint in Game 2.
Is another UNDER in store in this matchup? The UNDER is 4-1 in the last five meetings between the Pacers and Cavs.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Indiana Pacers were listed earlier as 2-point favorites on the betting oddsboard at Sportsbook. Those betting on the total OVER/UNDER for points scored have seen that line set at 208.5 for Friday at shops such as Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer prediction formulas pick a 109-103 win for the Pacers on Friday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to vanquish their hosts on Friday, as they are 32-51-1 versus the spread this season, while the Indiana Pacers are 49-35 ATS. Cleveland is 40-42-2 against the points scored total betting line, while Indiana is 31-50-3 versus the line. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Indiana vs Cleveland injuries news.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 12-rated Pacers and the No. 8-ranked Cavaliers, according to the NBA Power Rankings here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively the game matches up Indiana's No. 17-ranked offense (105.37 PPG) against a Cleveland defense that ranks No. 26 at 109.63 PPG. The Pacers have averaged 47.28% from the field per game, less than the Cavaliers have managed so far this NBA season (47.54% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Cleveland is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games
- Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Cleveland is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Cleveland's last 11 games
- Indiana is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
- Indiana is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
- Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Cleveland at Indiana, Sunday, April 22
