Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/5/2023

Time: 5 p.m. ET

Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Where to watch: BSIN, BSOH

DraftKings: Cavs -4

FanDuel: NL

BetMGM: Cavs -4.5

Caesars: Cavs -4.5

Cavs: 32-22

Pacers: 25-29

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Cavs:  won 128-113 vs. Grizzlies

Pacers: won 107-104 vs. Kings

This current bout of inconsistency with the Cleveland Cavaliers is likely not what they expected but you knew it was bound to happen at some point. Cleveland is playing had a .500 pace over the last 10 games and has alternated wins and losses in their last seven games. Cleveland will try to win two in a row when it heads to Indiana to take on a Pacers team that is just now getting healthy again and has the realistic outside chance of making the playoffs this year.

 

It was a rather eventful game last time out for the Cavaliers in the 128-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The game on Thursday was highlighted by Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks hitting Donovan Mitchell below the belt and starting a skirmish that got the Memphis player ejected and later suspended for one game. Mitchell finished two of 11 for six points in what was a season worst for him before he did get ejected himself, But Darius Garland picked up the slack with 32 points and 11 assists as one of six players to finish in double figures in the win.

 

“That’s just who he is,” said Mitchell, who was ejected in the third quarter for throwing the ball at Brooks. "We’ve seen it a bunch in this league with him. Him and I have had our personal battles for years.

“There’s no place for that in the game. This has been brewing for years with me and other guys in the league. You all see it. This isn’t new.”

 

Cleveland also hasn't been consistent against the spread either. They've also been playing 500 against the books as of late while alternating wins and losses against the spread in their last nine. The Cavaliers are still considered a pretty big favorite in the Eastern Conference should they stay healthy. This is a team with a backcourt as dynamic as any in the league and a front court that can be willing and able to take over games at the drop of a dime. But at the same time, you have to be weary at the fact that this level of inconsistency could carry over into the All-Star break which for a young team like this it could definitely use the break.

 

The Pacers were one of those contenders in the Eastern Conference at around December, and then injuries happened particularly to Tyrese Haliburton. but Indiana’s All Star point guard is back in the lineup and the Pacers got back to their winning ways on Friday with the 107-104 victory at home against the Sacramento Kings. Buddy Hield finished with a team high 21 points and five made three pointers to go along with ten rebounds, and Indiana recovered from a rough shooting night to slow down one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference.

 

“Especially against your old team, it’s always good to get the win,” Hield said.

 

Since Haliburton returned to the lineup, the Pacers have nearly defeated the Los Angeles Lakers and outright beat the Kings at home. And despite all of that, Indiana is still just four games below .500 and still very much alive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Indiana has covered the last two after failing to cover the previous three.

 

The over has cashed in the last four meetings and if that is any indication, that tends to favor the Pacers because the over has cashed in the last four games for Indiana against teams with a winning record outright. Cleveland has seen the under a lot as of late and have struggled to cover against teams that are struggling to win as well as failing to cover following an outright victory. So the level of inconsistency will continue for Cleveland as I think the Pacers get the job done here. Pacers 112, Cavaliers 105

Cavs are 27-48 ATS in the second half of the season the last 3 seasons.

Cavs are 52-41 ATS after a game they covered the last 3 seasons.

Pacers are 13-4 ATS as a home underdog of 6 points or less this season.

PG: Darius Garland

SG: Donovan Mitchell

SF: Isaac Okoro

PF: Evan Mobley

C: Jarrett Allen

PG: Tyrese Haliburton

SG: Chris Duarte

SF: Buddy Hield

PF: Aaron Nesmith

C: Myles Turner

Points: Donovan Mitchell -- 27.1

Rebounds: Jarrett Allen -- 9.7

Assists: Darius Garland -- 8.2

Points: Tyrese Haliburton -- 20.1

Rebounds: Myles Turner -- 8.0

Assists: Tyrese Haliburton -- 10.2