Pacers vs. Cavaliers Prediction: Game 1 Odds & Expert Picks
Though we don’t expect an appearance from John Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers will be at Rocket Arena in Cleveland for Game 1 of their NBA playoffs series against the Cavaliers on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET (TNT), and we're making our Pacers vs. Cavaliers prediction.
Our expert picks based on the betting odds from the best NBA betting sites envision a fast start for the Cavs. After Cleveland demolished the Heat in four straight games, our prediction views any single-digit spread as insufficient to contain the Cavaliers’ explosive offense as part of our NBA picks.
The Cavaliers enter Game 1 as 8-point betting favorites, with moneyline odds around -325. The total is set at 229.5.
💰 Pacers vs. Cavaliers expert picks for Game 1
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✅ Against the spread pick: Cavaliers -8 (-105 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Cavaliers (-325 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Over 229 (-108 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🏀 Game 1 prediction & best bet
🎯 Score prediction: Cavaliers 124, Pacers 110
With Cleveland and Indiana both ranking among the league’s top-10 scoring units on a points per game basis, Over 229 is an intriguing play on Sunday night at Rocket Arena. But for our best bet in this matchup, we’re leaning into the Eastern Conference’s top unit against the spread this season.
The Cavaliers are 51-34-1 against the spread, ranking second in the NBA this season. Cleveland’s average margin of victory at home is 11.7, and the Cavs are fresh off a four-game sweep of the Heat. They dominated each outing while covering this spread every time, which has dipped from its opening line of -8.5 down to -8 at several of our best sports betting sites.
The last time we saw the Cavaliers, they were completing an eye-popping 55-point win to clinch the first-round series in Miami. Cleveland’s prowess offensively has led to an average of 126.0 points per game so far in these NBA playoffs.
The Pacers bested the Cavs in overtime during their final regular-season meeting, so we’re looking for Cleveland’s focus to be on another level as it opens up this next series. Indiana is just 20-23 ATS as a road team this season.
✅ Best bet: Cavaliers -8 (-105 via Caesars)
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📈 Pacers vs. Cavaliers odds
Live updated odds from our best sports betting sites.
🪧 Game 1 opening odds
Opening odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Pacers +8.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -8.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Pacers +275 | Cavaliers -350
- Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)
🚑 Pacers vs. Cavaliers injury report
Follow the official NBA injury report for more injury news.
📡 How to watch Pacers vs. Cavaliers live (Game 1)
📅 Sunday, May 4
🕗 6 p.m. ET
📍 Rocket Arena (Cleveland)
📺 TNT | 🛜 Max and Fubo
💵 Best NBA betting sites
Ready to bet on the NBA playoffs? Check out the best NBA betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
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