It will be a battle between Central Division opponents when the Indiana Pacers (21-20) welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-15) to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 223 points with Cleveland set as a 1.5-point favorite.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Free Prediction
The Cavaliers are hoping for a better outcome after their 133-99 loss to the Toronto Raptors in their last contest. Toronto won the rebounding battle. The Raptors had more offensive rebounds (18 vs. nine), defensive rebounds (45 vs. 26) and total rebounds (63 vs. 35). LeBron James was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
In the Pacers’ last matchup, they fell to the Miami Heat, 114-106. Miami’s 0.611 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Indiana, who had a mark of 0.506. The Heat’s mark was above their season average of 0.523. With 26 points on 9-for-20 shooting, Victor Oladipo was the top scorer from either team.
Getting to the line could be hard to come by for Indiana in this showdown. The Pacers rank 25th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.178, while Cleveland ranks first in FTA rate allowed (0.160). Also, the fourth-ranked offense of the Cavaliers (offensive efficiency of 111.0) will square off against the 22nd-ranked defense of the Pacers (defensive efficiency of 107.9).
Cleveland has a respectable 26-15 straight up (SU) record, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (12-27-1 against the spread (ATS)). Cavaliers games have a slight tendency to finish over the total (52.5 percent).
Meanwhile, Indiana owns records of 21-20 SU and 22-19 ATS. In opposition of Cleveland, a little over half of Pacers games have finished under the total.
Domantas Sabonis has averaged 17.0 points and 7.4 rebounds over the last five games for Indiana.
The Pacers have won both games against the Cavaliers this season, including a 106-102 victory in their last matchup. Indiana covered as a 3-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 208 points, which was 13 points below the projected point total of 221 points. The Pacers had a better turnover percentage (7.7 vs. 10.4) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.5 vs. 19.6). James finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Cleveland is 9-12 ATS with 11 unders and 10 overs.
Indiana is 12-11 ATS at home with 14 unders, 8 overs and 1 push.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Cleveland is 10-1 and Indiana is 11-1.
The Cavaliers are 26-8 when they score above 100 points, while the Pacers are 19-9.
Cleveland ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (32.8) while Indiana ranks 25th (24.9).
The Cavaliers rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while the Pacers rank 23rd (5.3).
Indiana ranks 14th in assists per game (22.7) while Cleveland ranks last in assists allowed per game (25.8).
The Pacers rank third in fast break points per game (14.9) while the Cavaliers rank 18th (10.0).
Indiana ranks 13th in points in the paint per game (44.8) while Cleveland ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (46.4).
The Pacers average 18.2 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 14th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.3).
Indiana ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Cleveland ranks 13th (7.6).
The Pacers rank 21st in rebounds per game (41.9) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (43.9).
Indiana averages 12.1 second chance points per game, which ranks 15th in the league. Cleveland ranks 16th in second chance points allowed per game (12.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Indiana is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cavaliers have been outscored by an average of 11.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Cleveland has defeated opponents by an average of 1.1 points.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 106.2 points per game (1.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.0 points per game (1.8 below their season average).
