A comprehensive guide to the Pacers vs Cavaliers matchup: Odds, Lineups, Predictions & Picks

• The Indiana Pacers are 4.5-point favorites over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday
• Cleveland is resting four starters, and their top-five reserves
• See my Pacers vs Cavaliers odds, predictions and picks below

The final day of the NBA regular season is here, and while there is plenty to play for in the West, everything has been determined in the East. With nothing to play for, the Indiana Pacers (49-32, 19-20 away) and Cleveland Cavaliers (64-17, 34-6 home) will be counting on their backups when they meet on Sunday afternoon. Online sportsbooks are more bullish on the Pacers reserves, pegging them as chalk in the NBA odds. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:10 pm ET at the Rocket Arena, in Cleveland, OH.

Pacers vs Cavaliers Odds

Indiana is currently favored by 4.5-points and is -192 on the moneyline. The total sits at 226.5, with Cleveland coming back as +160 ‘dogs. Per the NBA public betting trends, the Pacers are 2-1 versus the Cavs this season, with two of the three meetings falling below 226.5 points.

Odds as of April 12 at DraftKings. See the DraftKings promo code details before signing up.

Indiana vs Cleveland Reports & Lineups

As of Saturday night, the Pacers have only ruled out starters Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Fellow starters Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner are still considered available, but are unlikely to play heavy minutes, if they suit up at all.

Indiana rested all five of their starters on Friday in Orlando, and fell 129-115 to the Magic. T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin and Thomas Bryant have all been starters at various points of their career, and can help carry the offensive burden if the Pacers sit their entire starting five.

Cleveland meanwhile, is giving nearly everyone the afternoon off. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Max Strus are out. The only other starter is Jarrett Allen, and he’s expected to play limited minutes for the sole purpose of playing in all 82 games.

Not only are four Cavs starters sitting, but so are their top-five backups. Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill, De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro will not dress. That only leaves six players on the Cleveland depth chart, meaning they’ll need to add some guys just to fill out a roster.

Cleveland is locked into the East’s number one seed and is a top-three NBA Championship odds contender. It makes perfect sense that they’re prioritizing health, just don’t expect much of a fight from their third stringers.

Pacers vs Cavaliers Predictions & Picks

• Indiana Pacers -4.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
• Indiana Pacers to Win by 11+ Points (+210 at FanDuel)

The available Cavs include Tristan Thompson, Craig Porter Jr., Javonte Green, Emoni Bates, Chuma Okeke, and Jaylon Tyson. Of the group, none average more than 3.4 points per game, and only Porter Jr. attempts more than 2 shots per game. Speaking of Porter Jr., he’ll be running the point on Sunday, and he averages just as many turnovers as assists in limited playing time so far as a rookie.

As for Indiana, we know what their backups are capable of. Mathurin is instant offense whenever he’s in the game, and has no issue creating his own shot. McConnell is one of the team’s best facilitators, while Bryant has multiple seasons on his NBA resume averaging double-digit points.

We just saw the Pacers reserves in action, and while the defense wasn’t pretty, the offense held its own. With a bunch of unproven or washed up Cavaliers on the other side, I’m predicting Indiana makes short work of this undermanned Cleveland squad. The Cavs lineup is going to more closely resemble a G-League team than an NBA squad, so I’m looking to back Indiana on some alt lines as well. The Pacers by 11+ points will be my target in the alt markets, which pays +210.

The Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face off in an exciting matchup that is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, but they are both hungry for a win in this game.

Let’s take a closer look at the odds, lineups, predictions, and picks for this highly anticipated matchup:

Odds:
According to most sportsbooks, the Pacers are currently favored to win this game. The odds are constantly changing, so it’s important to keep an eye on them leading up to tip-off. However, the Cavaliers are not to be underestimated, as they have shown that they can compete with some of the best teams in the league.

Lineups:
The Pacers will likely start with a lineup featuring key players such as Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, and Caris LeVert. These players have been instrumental in the team’s success this season and will be looking to make a big impact in this game.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers will likely start with a lineup featuring Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. These young players have shown a lot of potential and will be looking to prove themselves against a tough Pacers team.

Predictions:
This game is shaping up to be a close one, with both teams having something to prove. The Pacers will be looking to solidify their playoff position, while the Cavaliers will be looking to play spoiler and potentially sneak into the postseason themselves.

In the end, I predict that the Pacers will come out on top in a hard-fought battle. Their experience and depth will give them the edge over the young Cavaliers team. However, anything can happen in basketball, so fans should be prepared for an exciting and unpredictable game.

Picks:
If you’re looking to place a bet on this game, my pick would be to take the Pacers to win. They have been playing well recently and have the talent to come out on top in this matchup. However, it’s always important to do your own research and make an informed decision before placing any bets.

Overall, the Pacers vs Cavaliers matchup is sure to be a thrilling game that fans won’t want to miss. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, expect a high-intensity battle that could go down to the wire. Make sure to tune in and see which team comes out on top in this exciting showdown.