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As expected, the Pacers are heavy underdogs heading into their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with No. 1 seed Cleveland. The Cavs are -500 to win the series, per BetMGM, with the Cavs in five games at the best odds (+225).
That's what Vegas thinks. Here are our staff predictions along with more media picks. And you can have your say in the poll at bottom of article.
∎ Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Cavs in seven
The Pacers are one of the rare teams that has the depth that can combat the Cavs. Both teams can come at you in waves and the the Pacers managed to wear the Cavs out with full-court pressure in the first meeting between the two teams on Jan. 12. That being said, the Cavs also have the advantage of knowing the Pacers can cause that exact problem and be prepared for it and they have the personnel to be able to withstand it over the course of a full series. They have three 2025 All-Stars in the starting lineup plus Jarrett Allen and on the bench they have two of the league's most productive reserves. They have the best offensive player in the series (Donovan Mitchell) and the best defensive player (Evan Mobley) and the league's most efficient and explosive offense. As much as I feel like the Pacers are capable of surprising some people and making this competitive, the Cavs are in the midst of one of the best years in their history -- by far the best that didn't include LeBron James -- and I can't see this ending for them in the East semis.
∎ Kyle Neddenriep, IndyStar: Pacers in seven
I feel less confident in the Pacers winning this round after reading Dustin Dopirak’s 'Who has the edge?' piece. The biggest concern in this series is defending the Cavs. Defending Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome on the perimeter is a much different challenge than the Bucks, who presented their own issues (i.e. Gary Trent Jr.). That said, the Pacers won’t lie down. You can see the confidence from last year’s playoff run in this team. I think this will be a great series. I said Pacers in 7 before the playoffs started so I’ll stick with that.
∎ Nat Newell, IndyStar: Cavs in fiveThe Pacers will score even against the Cavs’ defense because of Tyrese Haliburton. But Cleveland can score too and will win in five games, four of them decided by single-digit points.
∎ Matthew Glenesk, IndyStar: Pacers in seven
This series will likely be overshadowed by Celtics-Knicks but has the potential to be the best of the four conference semifinals. The Cavs present a much different challenge than the Bucks did. Cleveland isn't a one-man band. They have three All-Stars in their starting five, plenty of capable shooters and a bench just as good as the Pacers'. While the No. 1 seed Cavs finished 14 games ahead of the Pacers to win the Central Division, since Jan. 1, the Cavs are 35-14. The Pacers are 34-14. It's a coin flip. I'll give the Pacers a slight edge of having been here before, while many of these Cavs are in uncharted territory.
∎ Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs in six
The Pacers' five-out offense and elite transition attack will present problems for the Cavaliers. On the other hand, the Cavs have been even more difficult for opponents to limit. Expect shootouts early and often. The Cavs had the NBA's best offensive rating in the regular season (121), and they're also leading the pack in the playoffs (136.2). The Pacers were ninth in offensive rating through the regular season (115.4), and they're second in the postseason (118). Grab your popcorn and go to the bathroom during timeouts. Otherwise, you'll miss some fireworks.
∎ Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs in six
The Cavs demolished the Heat, but I think that was in large part due to Miami just falling apart. The Cavs have discussed Jarrett Allen's defensive footprint extending out to the perimeter in the past, and that'll be tested in this series against the Pacers' five-out offensive system, which Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson called the most difficult thing to guard in basketball. But while the Pacers can put pressure on the Cavs lineup offensively, can Indiana defend Evan Mobley and Allen inside while also slowing down Donovan Mitchell and Co. on the outside? I don't buy into the idea the Cavs are better with Darius Garland sidelined, so his return at some point in the series would be helpful.
∎ Jimmy Watkins, Cleveland.com: Cavs in five
No disrespect to All-NBA Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who deserves more esteem than he got in The Athletic’s recent “Most overrated player” peer poll (Haliburton took first place). And don’t sleep on All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, who has appeared in more playoff games (74) than any rotation player on either roster in this series. But when the Pacers push Cleveland into close games — and I think they will — I trust the Cavs’ top-end talent more than Indiana’s.
The golden rules states that these Pacers lack the pedigree required to win this series. No disrespect to Haliburton. I’m not calling him overrated.
Just overmatched.
∎ Peter Dewey, SI.com: Cavs in seven
After such a dominant regular season, it would be shocking to see the Cavs fail to advance in this matchup, but I don’t think they’re going to roll past the Pacers.
Remember, Indiana won two series as the lower-seeded team in the first round, beating the Bucks and New York Knicks last season. It also put up a fight (in a sweep) against Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland has more top-line talent, but the depth of this Indiana team is really interesting to watch. The Pacers aren’t reliant on a sole scorer to carry them each night, and they have big games from Pascal, Siakam, Haliburton and others in the first round.
If Cleveland wins this series, I wouldn’t be shocked to see it go the distance.
The Cavaliers are -500 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Pacers are +375. Here are the correct series result odds:
Cast your vote.
What will result of Pacers vs. Cavs series be?
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers Cavs series predictions, betting odds: Indiana vs Cleveland who wins?
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That's what Vegas thinks. Here are our staff predictions along with more media picks. And you can have your say in the poll at bottom of article.
∎ Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Cavs in seven
The Pacers are one of the rare teams that has the depth that can combat the Cavs. Both teams can come at you in waves and the the Pacers managed to wear the Cavs out with full-court pressure in the first meeting between the two teams on Jan. 12. That being said, the Cavs also have the advantage of knowing the Pacers can cause that exact problem and be prepared for it and they have the personnel to be able to withstand it over the course of a full series. They have three 2025 All-Stars in the starting lineup plus Jarrett Allen and on the bench they have two of the league's most productive reserves. They have the best offensive player in the series (Donovan Mitchell) and the best defensive player (Evan Mobley) and the league's most efficient and explosive offense. As much as I feel like the Pacers are capable of surprising some people and making this competitive, the Cavs are in the midst of one of the best years in their history -- by far the best that didn't include LeBron James -- and I can't see this ending for them in the East semis.
∎ Kyle Neddenriep, IndyStar: Pacers in seven
I feel less confident in the Pacers winning this round after reading Dustin Dopirak’s 'Who has the edge?' piece. The biggest concern in this series is defending the Cavs. Defending Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome on the perimeter is a much different challenge than the Bucks, who presented their own issues (i.e. Gary Trent Jr.). That said, the Pacers won’t lie down. You can see the confidence from last year’s playoff run in this team. I think this will be a great series. I said Pacers in 7 before the playoffs started so I’ll stick with that.
∎ Nat Newell, IndyStar: Cavs in fiveThe Pacers will score even against the Cavs’ defense because of Tyrese Haliburton. But Cleveland can score too and will win in five games, four of them decided by single-digit points.
∎ Matthew Glenesk, IndyStar: Pacers in seven
This series will likely be overshadowed by Celtics-Knicks but has the potential to be the best of the four conference semifinals. The Cavs present a much different challenge than the Bucks did. Cleveland isn't a one-man band. They have three All-Stars in their starting five, plenty of capable shooters and a bench just as good as the Pacers'. While the No. 1 seed Cavs finished 14 games ahead of the Pacers to win the Central Division, since Jan. 1, the Cavs are 35-14. The Pacers are 34-14. It's a coin flip. I'll give the Pacers a slight edge of having been here before, while many of these Cavs are in uncharted territory.
∎ Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs in six
The Pacers' five-out offense and elite transition attack will present problems for the Cavaliers. On the other hand, the Cavs have been even more difficult for opponents to limit. Expect shootouts early and often. The Cavs had the NBA's best offensive rating in the regular season (121), and they're also leading the pack in the playoffs (136.2). The Pacers were ninth in offensive rating through the regular season (115.4), and they're second in the postseason (118). Grab your popcorn and go to the bathroom during timeouts. Otherwise, you'll miss some fireworks.
∎ Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs in six
The Cavs demolished the Heat, but I think that was in large part due to Miami just falling apart. The Cavs have discussed Jarrett Allen's defensive footprint extending out to the perimeter in the past, and that'll be tested in this series against the Pacers' five-out offensive system, which Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson called the most difficult thing to guard in basketball. But while the Pacers can put pressure on the Cavs lineup offensively, can Indiana defend Evan Mobley and Allen inside while also slowing down Donovan Mitchell and Co. on the outside? I don't buy into the idea the Cavs are better with Darius Garland sidelined, so his return at some point in the series would be helpful.
∎ Jimmy Watkins, Cleveland.com: Cavs in five
No disrespect to All-NBA Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who deserves more esteem than he got in The Athletic’s recent “Most overrated player” peer poll (Haliburton took first place). And don’t sleep on All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, who has appeared in more playoff games (74) than any rotation player on either roster in this series. But when the Pacers push Cleveland into close games — and I think they will — I trust the Cavs’ top-end talent more than Indiana’s.
The golden rules states that these Pacers lack the pedigree required to win this series. No disrespect to Haliburton. I’m not calling him overrated.
Just overmatched.
∎ Peter Dewey, SI.com: Cavs in seven
After such a dominant regular season, it would be shocking to see the Cavs fail to advance in this matchup, but I don’t think they’re going to roll past the Pacers.
Remember, Indiana won two series as the lower-seeded team in the first round, beating the Bucks and New York Knicks last season. It also put up a fight (in a sweep) against Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland has more top-line talent, but the depth of this Indiana team is really interesting to watch. The Pacers aren’t reliant on a sole scorer to carry them each night, and they have big games from Pascal, Siakam, Haliburton and others in the first round.
If Cleveland wins this series, I wouldn’t be shocked to see it go the distance.
Pacers vs Cavs series betting odds
The Cavaliers are -500 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Pacers are +375. Here are the correct series result odds:
- Cavs in 4: +475
- Cavs in 5: +225
- Cavs in 6: +375
- Cavs in 7: +400
- Pacers in 4: +4000
- Pacers in 5: +2500
- Pacers in 6: +1100
- Pacers in 7: +1200
Have your say. Who wins Pacers vs Cavs series?
Cast your vote.
What will result of Pacers vs. Cavs series be?
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers Cavs series predictions, betting odds: Indiana vs Cleveland who wins?
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