The Cleveland Cavaliers (41-17) welcome the Indiana Pacers (31-28) in a matchup that pits the fourth-ranked offense against the second-ranked defense. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Monday, Feb. 29 and will air on NBA, FxO, FxI and C+D.
The Cavaliers were beaten by the Wizards 113-99 on Sunday. Kyrie Irving finished with 28 points to lead the game. The Pacers, meanwhile, are coming off a 111-102 loss at the hands of the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Monta Ellis had a team-high 18 points.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength, as the high-octane offense of Cleveland (fourth in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 107.8) takes on the top-notch defense of Indiana (second in the league with a defensive efficiency of 100.3).
The Cavaliers have won both matchups against the Pacers this season, including a 111-106 victory in their last matchup. George Hill was a top player in the game with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and four three-pointers.
The Cavaliers enter the game with records of 41-17 Straight Up (SU) and 25-31-2 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 3-7 ATS.
Across the court, Indiana has a SU record of 31-28 and an ATS record of 29-30. Indiana has records of 5-5 SU and 3-7 ATS against the Central. Indiana makes opponents pay for turning the ball over, ranking second in points off turnovers with an average of 19.6 per game.
Cleveland won the last meeting this season between these two teams, evening up the two teams’ head-to-head record over the last 10 games. The Pacers hold the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle
Notes
Ranked ninth, Cleveland puts up 102.9 points per game. On the other hand, Indiana gives up 100.5 and also ranks ninth (in points allowed).
Indiana ranks ninth in points allowed per road game (101.9 PPG), while Cleveland ranks eighth in points per home game with 105.8.
Cleveland has a solid 23-8 record when it gives up under 100 points this season. Indiana is 10-14 when it scores under 100.
Cleveland is above 0.500 (18-9) when it allows 100 or more points this season. Indiana has a 21-14 record when it reaches the century mark.
The Pacers have a defensive rating of 100.3, second-best in the NBA. The Cavaliers also rank in the top half of the league for their offensive rating of 107.8 (ranked fourth).
The Indiana Pacers average 100.2 possessions per game and 1.022 points per possession. The Cleveland Cavaliers earn fewer possessions with 95.4, but they score more points with 1.078.
Cleveland is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 51.8% (ranked fifth in the NBA). Indiana is a subpar 4-14 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt 28.0 three point field goals per game and the Indiana Pacers attempt 23.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Cleveland has a winning 26-14 record, while Indiana is 14-12.
Cleveland has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.75 this season (ranked seventh), while Indiana ranks lower at 25th with an A/TO of 1.40.
The Cleveland Cavaliers rebound 44.7 times per game and are ranked eighth. Ranked 11th, the Indiana Pacers rebound 44.3 times per game.
Cleveland is ranked ninth in defensive rebounds, while Indiana ranks 14th in offensive rebounds.
Indiana is among the best in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.7% (ranked sixth). Cleveland has a 10-7 record SU when its TOV% reaches 15.7% or greater.
