It will be a battle between Central Division opponents when the Cleveland Cavaliers (27-19) welcome the Indiana Pacers (26-22) to Quicken Loans Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 26, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 222 points with Cleveland set as a 4-point favorite.
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction
The Pacers will be looking for a similar outcome after defeating the Phoenix Suns in their last contest, 116-101. Indiana’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Phoenix. The Pacers had a rate of 0.619 (above their season average of 0.531), while the Suns posted a mark of 0.470 (below the 0.530 mark opponents have averaged against Indiana this season). Victor Oladipo fueled Indiana with 21 points and nine assists.
The last time the Cavaliers played, they were beaten by the San Antonio Spurs, 114-102. San Antonio’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Cleveland. The Spurs had a rate of 8.2 (better than their season average of 12.7), while the Cavaliers posted a mark of 17.4 (above their season average of 12.9). LeBron James put together a solid game for Cleveland, leading the team in scoring with 28 points on 10-for-23 shooting.
The sweet-shooting offense of Cleveland (fourth in the league with an effective field goal percentage 0.543) will clash against the bottom-tier defense of Indiana (21st in effective field goal percentage allowed 0.529). The Cavaliers should have the advantage on that side of the ball. Also, the Pacers rank fifth in turnover percentage (13.1 percent), while the Cavaliers rank 24th in opponents’ turnover percentage (13.4 percent).
Indiana holds records of 26-22 straight up (SU) and 27-21 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Pacers have typically finished under the total (58.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Cleveland is 27-19 SU and 12-33-1 ATS. Contrary to Indiana, Cavaliers games have finished over the total 52.2 percent of the time.
The Pacers have emerged victorious in all three games against the Cavaliers this year, including a close two-point victory in their last matchup. Indiana covered as a 1.5-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 192 points, which was 29 points below the projected point total of 221 points. Indiana launched 21 three pointers, making 10 of them (47.6 percent), while Cleveland was 7-34 (20.6 percent). James had a double-double in the defeat, with 27 points and 11 assists.
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Indiana is 13-10 ATS on the road with 13 unders and 10 overs.
Cleveland is 3-18-1 ATS at home with 12 overs and 10 unders.
Cleveland is 10-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Indiana is 15-2.
The Pacers are 22-9 when they reach 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 27-11.
Cleveland ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (32.6) while Indiana ranks 25th (24.7).
The Cavaliers rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while the Pacers rank 24th (5.3).
Indiana ranks fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.8) while Cleveland ranks 18th (16.8).
The Pacers rank 17th in assists per game (22.3) while the Cavaliers rank last in assists allowed per game (25.9).
Indiana ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Cleveland ranks 16th (7.8).
The Pacers average 44.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks 13th in the league. The Cavaliers rank 25th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.8).
Indiana ranks third in fast break points per game (15.1) while Cleveland ranks 15th (10.9).
The Pacers rank 21st in rebounds per game (42.0) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (44.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Cleveland is 0-5 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, up from 1.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 106.6 points per game (2.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 116.0 points per game (6.4 above their season average).
