The Indiana Pacers (2-3) will try to extend the series when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in game six of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game can be seen on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, April 27, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 204.5 points with Indiana opening as a 1.5-point favorite.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
In game five, James scored a game-high 44 points and the Cavaliers beat the Pacers 98-95 but could not cover as 6.5-point favorites. He also had 10 rebounds and eight assists. The game finished with a total of 193 points, which was 13 points below the projected point total of 206 points. The Cavaliers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.0 vs. 20.6) and had a better free throw rate (0.347 vs. 0.296).
Indiana could have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this contest. The Pacers currently rank 25th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.173, while Cleveland ranks second in FTA rate allowed (0.166).
Cleveland has a solid 53-34 straight up (SU) record, but they have trouble covering the spread (33-52-2 against the spread (ATS)). Games involving the Cavaliers have a slight tendency to go under the O/U total (51.7 percent).
Meanwhile, Indiana is 50-37 SU and 50-36-1 ATS. Games featuring the Pacers have typically gone under the O/U total (60.9 percent).
LeBron James has averaged 28.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists over the last five games for Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cleveland is 20-22-1 ATS on the road with 22 overs and 21 unders.
Indiana is 24-18-1 ATS at home with 26 unders, 16 overs and 1 push.
In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Indiana is 28-5 and Cleveland is 18-5.
When reaching the century mark, the Cavaliers are 50-18 and the Pacers are 39-17.
Indiana ranks second in steals per game (8.8) while Cleveland ranks 23rd (7.1).
The Cavaliers rank fifth in three pointers attempted per game (32.1) while the Pacers rank 26th (24.6).
Cleveland ranks third in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while Indiana ranks 21st (5.1).
The Pacers rank second in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while the Cavaliers rank 18th (16.3).
Indiana ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (22.9) while Cleveland ranks 28th (25.6).
The Pacers rank 12th in points in the paint per game (44.8) while the Cavaliers rank 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (46.9).
Indiana ranks 18th in second chance points per game (11.9) while Cleveland ranks 26th (11.0).
The Pacers rank fifth in fast break points per game (14.7) while the Cavaliers rank 13th (12.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 1-3-1 ATS with 5 unders.
Indiana is 3-1-1 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Cavaliers have been outscored by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Cleveland has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 96.4 points per game (8.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 94.4 points per game (9.2 below their season average).
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