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The Cavaliers won 64 games in the regular season and then completed a historic first round sweep of the Heat, winning by a NBA-record +122.
They were heavy favorites to beat the Pacers next. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Virtually no one outside of Indiana picked the Pacers to win the Eastern Conference semifinals. We kept the receipts.
Of the 50 series predictions we found, 48 went with the Cavaliers. One writer declared, "It's impossible to pick against them." The two who did? They work for IndyStar: me and Kyle Neddenriep.
Now that the Pacers have eliminated the Cavs in five games and are headed back to the Eastern Conference finals for a second year in a row, it's time to revisit those predictions:
"Put me down as the one who expects the Cavaliers to win and win convincingly," Snellings wrote in his prediction.
"The Pacers are going to do everything in their power to not help off Cleveland's shooters, and they are capable of scoring big even against the Cavs' defense. But not four times. Not even three times," Botkin wrote. "... Cleveland moves on in easier fashion than I think most will predict."
"(The Cavs are) operating at such a high level on both sides of the ball right now that it's impossible to pick against them," Maloney wrote.
"I just think the Cavs are the better team. They will be challenged, without a doubt," Amico wrote. "They will also advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. They're just too good not to."
"Can you really envision this Pacers team beating the Cavs four times in a series? I can't see it," Tyler said.
The Cavaliers are -500 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Pacers are +375.
Pacers in 5: +2500
Get IndyStar's Pacers coverage sent directly to your inbox with the Pacers Update newsletter
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers complete upset of Cavs. Revisiting series predictions
Continue reading...
They were heavy favorites to beat the Pacers next. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Virtually no one outside of Indiana picked the Pacers to win the Eastern Conference semifinals. We kept the receipts.
Of the 50 series predictions we found, 48 went with the Cavaliers. One writer declared, "It's impossible to pick against them." The two who did? They work for IndyStar: me and Kyle Neddenriep.
Now that the Pacers have eliminated the Cavs in five games and are headed back to the Eastern Conference finals for a second year in a row, it's time to revisit those predictions:
ESPN's Pacers vs Cavs series predictions
- Tim McMahon: Cavaliers in 6
- Kevin Pelton: Cavaliers in 6
- Ramona Shelburne: Cavaliers in 6
- Andre Snellings: Cavaliers in 6
- Jorge Sedano: Cavaliers in 7
- Jerry Bembry: Cavaliers in 6
- Dave McMenamin: Cavaliers in 6
- Jamal Collier: Cavaliers in 6
- Chris Herring: Cavaliers in 6
- Marc Spears: Cavaliers in 6
- Jeremy Woo: Cavaliers in 6
- Tim Bontemps: Cavaliers in 7
- Ohm Youngmisuk: Cavaliers in 6
- Jim McCormick: Cavaliers in 5
- Eric Moody: Cavaliers in 7
"Put me down as the one who expects the Cavaliers to win and win convincingly," Snellings wrote in his prediction.
CBS Sports Cavs vs Pacers series predictions
- Brad Botkin: Cavaliers in 5
- James Herbert: Cavaliers in 5
- Jack Maloney: Cavaliers in 6
- Sam Quinn: Cavaliers in 5
- Colin Ward-Henninger: Cavaliers in 7
- Jasmyn Wimbish: Cavaliers 6
"The Pacers are going to do everything in their power to not help off Cleveland's shooters, and they are capable of scoring big even against the Cavs' defense. But not four times. Not even three times," Botkin wrote. "... Cleveland moves on in easier fashion than I think most will predict."
"(The Cavs are) operating at such a high level on both sides of the ball right now that it's impossible to pick against them," Maloney wrote.
NBA.com./NBA on TNT Cavs vs Pacers series predictions
- Steve Aschburner: Cavaliers
- Charles Barkley: Cavaliers
- Brian Martin: Cavaliers
- Shaquille O'Neal: Cavaliers
- Shaun Powell: Cavaliers
- John Schuhmann: Cavaliers
- Kenny Smith: Cavaliers
Local writers Cavs vs Pacers series predictions
- Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Cavaliers in 7
- Nat Newell, IndyStar: Cavaliers in 5
- Kyle Neddenriep, IndyStar: Pacers in 7
- Matthew Glenesk, IndyStar: Pacers in 7
- Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers in 6
- Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers in 6
- Jimmy Watkins, Cleveland.com: Cavaliers in 5
USA TODAY Pacers vs Cavs series picks
- Lorenzo Reyes: Cavaliers in 6
- Heather Tucker: Cavaliers in 6
- James Williams: Cavaliers in 6
- Jeff Zillgitt: Cavaliers in 5
More media Cavs vs Pacers predictions:
- Magic Johnson: Cavaliers
- Kurt Helin, NBC Sports: Cavaliers in 5
- Jay Croucher, NBC Sports: Cavaliers in 5
- Vaughn Dalzell, NBC Sports: Cavaliers in 6
- Brad Thomas, NBC Sports: Cavaliers in 5
- Sam Amico, Hoops Wire: Cavaliers in 6
- Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report: Cavaliers in 6
- Ryan Tyler, Matt Fontana Show: Cavaliers in 5
- Matt Fontana, Matt Fontana Show: Cavaliers in 5
- Carter Rodriguez, The Chase Down Podcast: Cavaliers in 5
- Jason Timpf, Hoops Tonight: Cavaliers in 6
"I just think the Cavs are the better team. They will be challenged, without a doubt," Amico wrote. "They will also advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. They're just too good not to."
"Can you really envision this Pacers team beating the Cavs four times in a series? I can't see it," Tyler said.
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.
Pacers in 5: +2500
Get IndyStar's Pacers coverage sent directly to your inbox with the Pacers Update newsletter
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers complete upset of Cavs. Revisiting series predictions
Continue reading...
