Pacers vs. Cavaliers: Predictions, picks, odds for NBA playoff series
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers have a 1-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in their Eastern Conference semifinals series as part of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Underestimate the Indiana Pacers at your own risk.
For the second-straight year, they're taking the NBA playoffs by surprise and head into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers with the chance to take a commanding series lead.
After blowing past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, the Pacers took Game 1 in Cleveland when Tyrese Haliburton (22 points, 13 assists) ignited a fourth-quarter surge after the Cavaliers had grabbed the lead. The rematch at Rocket Arena on Tuesday will be the biggest test yet for Cleveland during its resurgent season, and it comes on the heels of coach Kenny Atkinson being named NBA coach of the year for overseeing the team's 16-win improvement to the top of the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season.
The Cavaliers are banged up facing this 1-0 series deficit. Forwards Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter were both listed as questionable on the Game 2 injury report. Atkinson said Hunter dislocated his right thumb during Game 1. Mobley has an ankle injury. Cleveland also listed All-Star point guard Darius Garland as questionable for Game 2 after he missed Game 1 due to a toe injury.
Betting experts nonetheless believe the Cavaliers are poised to bounce back. Here's a look at the updated odds, predictions and picks ahead of Game 2 between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2025 NBA playoffs:
Cavaliers vs. Pacers predictions: Game 2 picks for NBA playoffs conference semifinals
Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers 129, Pacers 119
"The Cavs won't shoot nearly as poorly from 3-point range as they did in Game 1, and the Pacers won't shoot nearly as well from deep as they did in Game 1. If the roles are reversed beyond the arc to a significant degree in Game 2, the Cavs should bounce back."
Sportsbook Wire: Take the Pacers against the spread
"The Pacers have always been a thorn in the Cavs' side. Remember, Indiana made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season when it lost to the Boston Celtics. The Pacers are no slouch. If they lose in Game 2, it's hard to believe the Cavs will blow their doors off."
Sports Illustrated: Pacers keep it close
"It feels like oddsmakers are valuing the Cavs’ blowout over the Miami Heat in the first round a little too much. Indiana is 14-10 against the spread as a road underdog and now has four wins in five meetings with the Cavs this season. All of those games didn’t have high stakes, but it’s still notable. ... Expect the Pacers to keep this game close in Cleveland."
Pacers vs. Cavaliers Game 2 odds
The Cleveland Cavaliers are favorites to even their NBA playoffs series with the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, according to BetMGM (odds as of 10:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 6):
- Spread: Cavaliers (-9.5)
- Moneyline: Cavaliers (-400) | Pacers (+310)
- Over/under: 229.5
Cavaliers vs. Pacers series odds update
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still the favorite to advance entering Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Indiana Pacers
- Series winner: Cavaliers (-220) | Pacers (+180)
Watch Pacers-Cavaliers Game 2 with Sling TV
Cavaliers vs. Pacers: NBA playoffs schedule, time, TV channel, live streaming
The Eastern Conference semifinals series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers continues with Game 2 on Tuesday, May 6 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT and truTV and can be streamed via Sling TV and Max. The Pacers lead the series, 1-0.
Here's the updated schedule for Cavaliers vs. Pacers. All times listed are Eastern.
- Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112
- Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers | Tuesday, May 6 | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, Sling TV
- Game 3: Cavaliers at Pacers | Friday, May 9 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
- Game 4: Cavaliers at Pacers | Sunday, May 11 | 8 p.m. | TNT, truTV, Max, Sling TV
- Game 5: Pacers at Cavaliers | Tuesday, May 13 | TBD | TNT, truTV, Max, Sling TV*
- Game 6: Cavaliers at Pacers | Thursday, May 15 | TBD | ESPN, Fubo*
- Game 7: Pacers at Cavaliers | Sunday, May 18 | TBD | TBD*