-
Charlie Grant
Pacers vs. Cavaliers: Game 5 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
The winner of Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers has an 82.8 percent chance of going on to the second round according to NBA playoff history.
NBA Playoffs Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Pacers return to Cleveland with the home-court advantage belonging to the Cavaliers again. Indiana lost a glorious opportunity to take a 3-1 lead in the series by squandering offensive possessions late in Game 4.
Indiana failed to cover the spread for the first time this postseason when the Cavaliers won 104-100 at the Fieldhouse. The under is still a perfect 4-0 in the series and 53-32-1 in all of the Pacers game this season.
Cleveland is 11-27-1 against the spread in its last 39 games as a home favourite and 2-6 in its last eight matchups against Indiana.
About 71 percent of Sports Interaction customers are backing the Pacers to cover as 6.5-point road underdogs in Game 5 while 61 percent expect the final score to go under the 205-point total.
The Cavaliers regained home-court advantage and the position as series favourites. Sports Interaction lists the defending Eastern Conference champs at -455 to get out of the first round while the Pacers are paying +280 to win the series.
Indiana Pacers
The Cavaliers changed their defensive setup to make sure Victor Oladipo wasn’t the player to beat them in Game 4. Cleveland trapped the Pacers All-Star guard and forced him into taking a lot of tough shots. The game plan was effective as Oladipo produced his worst shooting performance (5-for-20) of the series.
Expect for Indiana coach Nate McMillian to adjust his offense and make sure Oladipo sees more space in the offence on Wednesday night against the Cavaliers.
Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s pretty clear Kevin Love isn’t right physically. The All-Star big man appeared to dislocate his thumb at the tail end of Game 2 and he scored just five points on 2-for-10 shooting in Game 4. The Cavs lack a reliable secondary scoring option behind LeBron James without Love at 100 percent.
Cleveland coach Ty Lue is adjusting by running more action for 3-point specialists Kyle Korver and JR Smith. The two combined for eight triples on 19 attempts in Game 4.
