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.
Mark GiannottoUnderestimate 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)
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*
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.