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Pacers vs Cavs Prediction and Odds: Injuries are Mounting for Both Teams

By Matt De Saro

The Cavs and Pacers are both stuck in three-game losing streaks heading in Sunday's Eastern Conference showdown between the two.
The Cavs and Pacers are both stuck in three-game losing streaks heading in Sunday's Eastern Conference showdown between the two. / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are both mired in three-game losing streaks heading into Sunday. One of those streaks ends today when the pair go head-to-head at the Quicken Loans Arena in Eastern Conference action. 

In their last game out, the Pacers suffered a loss to the Bulls on a DeMarr Derozen buzzer-beater. Indiana was able to cover the 3-point spread but it is little consolation to them for the last-second loss. It was their second loss to the Bulls in three games and their fourth loss in a row to an Eastern Conference team. The Pacers are also going to be without Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, and Chris Duarte for tonight's game.

Things haven’t been much better for the 20-16 Cavaliers in the last week. They are also on a three-game losing streak in the conference and have dropped 1-4 in their last five in the East. The Cavs are on an 0-3 ATS slide overall and appear to have cooled off after an impressive start.  Here are the odds for this Central Division showdown courtesy of WynnBET: 

Pacers vs. Cavs Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Pacers +3 (-110)
  • Cavs -3 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Pacers +127
  • Cavs -155

Total: 

  • 209 (Over -110/Under -110)

Pacers vs. Cavs Prediction and Pick

While both teams are stuck in a bit of a rut, the Pacers have to at least be happy they don’t have to play the Bulls again any time soon. It will be interesting to see how they are able to leave Chicago in their rearview and focus on beating the Cavs as underdogs on the road.  The Pacers are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games and 2-5 ATS in their last seven overall and are hard to trust right now. They have been playing to a lot of UNDER wins lately including 11 of their last 13 games on the road. The Pacers have also failed to cover against the Cavs in their last five games overall.  

Similarly, the Cavaliers have been cashing a lot of UNDERS at including a 12-5 mark in their last 17 games at the Quicken Loans Arena.  One reason for this has been their incredibly strong defense. Clevaland ranks second in the NBA in scoring defense at 102.3 PPG allowed. Things have been iffy as of late with Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and, most recently, Ricky Rubio all out right now. But, the defense is still playing above average despite playing shorthanded. 

This game, to me, has UNDER written all over it. The Pacers could be an attractive underdog but are just 3-13 on the road and 6-10 ATS. I think with the injuries the Cavs have and the poor play that Indiana has put forth, we see a low-scoring defensive game tonight. 

Pick: UNDER 209 (-110)

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