The Cavaliers and Pacers continue their second round series with Game 2 in Cleveland on Tuesday. Currently, Indiana holds a 1-0 lead in the series. On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Cavaliers are favored by 7.5 points and this game carries a total of 229.5 points.
Below, I break down Game 2 between the Cavaliers and the Pacers and give a pick for the game via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Cavaliers vs. Pacers preview, prediction
The Pacers stunned the Cavaliers in Sunday’s Game 1, defeating the top-seeded Cleveland team 121-112. The Pacers had a very balanced and efficient performance, with six players finishing in double figures. Andrew Nembhard led the way with 23 points and Tyrese Haliburton posted 22 points and 13 assists. Additionally, Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith added 17 points apiece. The Cavaliers remained without Darius Garland (toe) for the third game in a row and in his absence, Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Evan Mobley tallied a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Per usual, Ty Jerome was also excellent off the bench with Garland out, finishing with 21 points and eight assists.
While these were the types of performances you expected, the Cavaliers as a whole struggled with their outside shot, which was the X-factor in this loss. Cleveland went 9-for-38 on three-pointers, resulting in an ugly 23.7%. The Cavaliers finished atop the Eastern Conference due to their league-best offense and a huge amount of their success on that side of the ball is due to their outside shooting, as they rank second in the NBA in made three-pointers and second in three-point percentage. Unfortunately for Cleveland, the Pacers’ defense is designed to stop the three-point shot and they are effective in that department. This season, Indiana is limiting its opponents to the 10th-fewest made three-pointers and the 10th-lowest three-point percentage.
Another issue for the Cavaliers is that Garland is questionable again for Game 2 and to make matters worse, Mobley (ankle) and De’Andre Hunter (thumb) are also questionable. Given he reportedly practiced this past weekend, one would have to expect Garland to return Tuesday. However, Mobley’s injury is new and if he is out, Cleveland’s offense and more importantly its defense is going to suffer. Mobley was just named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year a few weeks ago and if he sits, the Cavaliers will have issues slowing down this Pacers offense that ranks sixth in rating this season. While Hunter’s availability is far less important than Garland’s or Mobley’s, his absence would also hurt the Cavaliers’ offense, as he is one of their primary bench scorers. Cleveland is a very deep team and it has the personnel to win if any of these questionable players are inactive, but obviously the task will be more difficult if it is shorthanded.
Cavaliers vs. Pacers pick, best bet
While it’s hard to evaluate the Cavaliers with Garland and Mobley questionable, at least one of these key players should suit up and Cleveland should rebound with a win on its home floor to even this series up at one win apiece. That being said, Cleveland being a -7.5 favorite is dramatic and backing the Pacers at +7.5 is the right move. Coming off a loss this season, the Cavaliers are a mediocre 9-9 ATS.
