The Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1) clash with the Indiana Pacers (1-0) at Quicken Loans Arena in game two of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, and will air on TNT.
Cleveland opened as an 8-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 209 points.
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction
In game one, Oladipo scored a game-high 32 points and the Pacers, who were 7-point underdogs, defeated the Cavaliers 98-80. He also had six rebounds. The game finished with a total of 178 points, which was 34.5 points below the projected point total of 212.5 points. The Pacers had a better turnover percentage (10.9 vs. 15.6) and had a better free throw rate (0.190 vs. 0.154).
Cleveland figures to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Cavaliers rank third in effective field goal percentage (0.546), while Indiana ranks 19th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.526). Furthermore, the Pacers, who rank 25th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.173), could struggle to get to the line against the Cavaliers, who rank second in opponents’ FTA rate (0.166).
Indiana heads into the contest with records of 49-34 straight up (SU) and 48-35 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total high when the Pacers are involved, as 59.0 percent of their games have finished under the total.
Cleveland is 50-33 SU, but they are just 32-50-1 ATS. Games featuring the Cavaliers have a slight tendency to finish over the total (49.4 percent).
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Indiana is 24-18 ATS with 25 unders, 16 overs and 1 push.
Cleveland is 13-28-1 ATS at home with 22 unders, 19 overs and 1 push.
In games where they allow below 100 points, Indiana is 27-4 and Cleveland is 16-4.
When scoring above 100 points, the Cavaliers are 48-18 and the Pacers are 39-16.
Cleveland ranks third in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while Indiana ranks 25th (5.2).
The Pacers rank second in steals per game (8.8) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd (7.1).
Cleveland ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (32.2) while Indiana ranks 25th (24.6).
The Pacers rank second in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while the Cavaliers rank 19th (16.2).
Indiana ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (23.2) while Cleveland ranks 28th (25.8).
The Pacers rank fifth in fast break points per game (14.8) while the Cavaliers rank 13th (12.4).
Indiana ranks 13th in points in the paint per game (44.6) while Cleveland ranks 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.9).
The Pacers rank 19th in second chance points per game (11.9) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (11.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Cleveland is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Pacers have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Indiana has defeated opponents by an average of 1.6 points.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 110.0 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.8 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
*****
