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Charlie Grant
Cavaliers vs. Pacers: Game 3 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
The Pacers come back to Indiana full of confidence and with a series split against the three-time defending East champion Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James hasn’t been tested like this in the first round of the playoffs since his first years in the league. Will Victor Oladipo and the Pacers strike back in this NBA matchup in Game 3?
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Cavaliers won but failed to cover as 8-point home favourites in Game 2. The Cavs are now 0-2 against the spread in the playoffs and 1-5 ATS in their last six games against the Pacers.
Cleveland’s lack of offensive punch is another talking point in the postseason. LeBron and Co. averaged 110.9 points per game during the regular season but they’re averaging just 90 a night during the playoffs. The under is 2-0 so far in the series and 4-0-1 in the last five meetings between the two teams.
Indiana improved to 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games and 49-35 ATS overall on the year. The Under is also 52-31-1 in their last 84 contests.
Despite losing home court advantage, Cleveland is listed as a -357 series favorite on the Sports Interaction NBA odds board. The Pacers are priced as +240 underdogs to knock off the Cavaliers.
Cleveland Cavaliers
This year’s edition of the Cavaliers is being compared to some of those talent-deprived squads LeBron James dragged through the playoffs last decade – and for good reason. James doesn’t have the same star support like he did last year when Kyrie Irving could take shoulder the scoring load.
James is averaging 35 points in the series and Kevin Love is second at 12 per game. Cleveland needs Love at his regular All-Star level instead of the scrub performances he’s shown in the first two games of the series. Love dislocated his thumb late in the fourth quarter of Game 2 but Cavs coach Ty Lue told reporters the thumb wouldn’t keep Love from playing on Friday night.
Indiana Pacers
Indiana withstood a 15-point first quarter deficit and had a great chance to tie the game in the final seconds. The Pacers recovered despite Victor Oladipo playing just 28 minutes due to foul trouble. Indiana went 0-7 SU and ATS without Oladipo during the regular season and the club was +11 with their All-Star on the floor in Game 2.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction
