The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their 2025 Eastern Conference semifinal series on Tuesday, aiming to equalize the series. Indiana took an early lead, securing a 121-112 upset victory in Game 1 on Sunday. The Pacers, who finished the regular season 50-32, have dominated recent matchups against Cleveland this season, winning four out of five meetings. They hold a 22-21 road record for the year. The Cavaliers, with an impressive 64-18 regular-season record and a dominant 36-8 home stand in 2024-2025, have historically had the edge over Indiana in previous postseason series, winning two out of three.
Game 2 is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. Historically, Cleveland holds a slight 9-7 advantage over Indiana in playoff games. According to the latest odds, the Cavaliers are listed as 9.5-point favorites, with the total points scored (over/under) set at 229.5. The money line odds show Cleveland at -410 and Indiana at +318.
Analyzing the matchup, the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game multiple times, offers key insights. This model has a proven track record, generating significant profits on top-rated NBA picks over the past six seasons and is currently performing strongly in the 2025 playoffs.
Key odds and betting lines for the game include:
- Pacers vs. Cavaliers spread: Cleveland -9.5
- Pacers vs. Cavaliers over/under: 229.5 points
- Pacers vs. Cavaliers money line: Indiana +340, Cleveland -440
- Betting trend for Indiana: The Pacers have been profitable on the money line in a significant number of their recent games.
- Betting trend for Cleveland: The total score has gone Over in a majority of the Cavaliers` recent games.
Why the Cavaliers Can Cover
The status of point guard Darius Garland (toe) remains questionable, potentially impacting Cleveland`s offense. However, shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has elevated his performance, particularly in the postseason. Across playoff starts, he`s averaging 25.6 points, 4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. He led the team with 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in the Game 1 loss. Power forward Evan Mobley, also potentially dealing with an ankle issue, delivered a strong performance in Game 1 with a double-double: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. His regular-season averages against Indiana were 19 points and 12.5 rebounds, while his playoff averages stand at 17 points and 7.2 rebounds.
Why the Pacers Can Cover
Power forward Pascal Siakam has consistently troubled the Cavaliers, who are facing injury concerns. In regular-season games against Cleveland this year, he averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. In Game 1, he contributed 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Throughout his career, Siakam holds averages of 18 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Driving the Pacers` offense is point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is having a stellar playoff run. In six playoff starts, he`s averaging 18.3 points, 11.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. His performance in the Game 1 win included 22 points, 13 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He also had a notable near double-double effort in their first-round series against Milwaukee.
Cavaliers vs. Pacers Predictions
According to the SportsLine model`s simulations, the predicted combined score is approximately 227 points, suggesting a leaning towards the Under on the total. The model also indicates a specific side of the point spread offers better value.
Jasper Hawthorne