The Indiana Pacers are on the brink of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals, holding a commanding 3-1 lead over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. They have the opportunity to close out the series in Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday night.
Cleveland`s hopes hang in the balance, largely dependent on the status of their star player, Donovan Mitchell. His availability for Game 5 is uncertain after he suffered an ankle injury during the Cavaliers` significant loss in Game 4. Mitchell was the primary offensive threat in the initial games, averaging an impressive 41.3 points, making his potential absence a critical factor in this do-or-die situation for Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Indiana aims to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive year. The Pacers have demonstrated balanced scoring throughout this series, with six different players averaging at least 13 points. This depth was evident in their previous round victory, where they eliminated the higher-seeded New York Knicks earlier in the 2024 playoffs.
Game 5 Analysis and Prediction
The Cavaliers offense is significantly hampered by injuries. Following Donovan Mitchell`s ankle issue, Darius Garland continues to struggle with a persistent toe sprain, and other guards have failed to provide consistent contributions. This raises serious doubts about where Cleveland can generate enough points.
For the Cavaliers to reach a high point total, they would need an exceptional shooting performance, particularly from beyond the arc. However, their ability to create quality scoring opportunities seems diminished given the current health of the team. Consequently, it is difficult to envision them scoring prolifically in Game 5.
Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers Team Total Points Under 118.5
Jasper Hawthorne