The league’s top scoring defense will be at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, when the Indiana Pacers (36-19) square off with the Cleveland Cavaliers (11-44). The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019, and will air on Fox Sports – Ohio.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
The Pacers will look to maintain momentum after comfortably covering the 6.5-point spread against the Los Angeles Clippers in their last contest, 116-92. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, were defeated by the Washington Wizards, 119-106, and failed to cover as 10-point underdogs. The Indiana game went 13 points under the projected point total of 221, while the Cleveland game finished 15.5 points over the projected point total of 209.5.
The Pacers, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.530, had an absurd mark of 0.615 and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (20.6 vs. 20.5). Cleveland, meanwhile, did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (22-25; 88.0 percent). Bojan Bogdanovic had a solid performance for Indiana, recording 29 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Cleveland received a boost from Larry Nance Jr., who put up 10 points, 19 rebounds and six assists.
The Pacers lead the season series two games to one. In their most recent game, the two teams combined to put up 238 points, well over the projected point total of 208.5. Indiana won 123-115 but was unable to cover as a 10.5-point favorite. Indiana had a much better turnover percentage (5.7 vs. 15.7). Cleveland, on the other hand, did a terrific job of converting from the charity stripe (20-23; 87.0 percent). Young was a standout player in the game, putting up 26 points and five rebounds.
Just over half of the Cavaliers’ games have finished over the total. Cleveland comes into the contest with records of 11-44 straight up (SU) and 24-29-1 against the spread (ATS).
Pacers games have typically finished under the O/U total (58.2 percent). Further, Indiana is 36-19 SU and 27-27-1 ATS.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Indiana currently ranks 23rd in possessions per game (100.8) and Cleveland is 29th (98.0). Furthermore, the 24th-ranked offense of the Cavaliers (offensive efficiency of 104.5) will face a difficult test against the second-ranked defense of the Pacers (defensive efficiency of 103.3).
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Free Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Cavaliers rank 26th in three pointers attempted per game (26.6) while the Pacers rank 27th (25.4).
- Indiana ranks third in points off turnovers per game (20.1) while Cleveland ranks 29th (13.4).
- The Pacers rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.9) while the Cavaliers rank 21st (50.4).
- Indiana ranks 10th in fast break points per game (15.3) while Cleveland ranks 26th (10.0).
- Indiana ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (42.8) while Cleveland ranks ninth (43.9).
- The Pacers rank third in steals per game (9.0) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (6.7).
- The Pacers rank 17th in blocks per game (5.1) while the Cavaliers rank 29th (2.5).
- Indiana ranks eighth in assists per game (26.1) while Cleveland ranks 29th (20.4).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Cleveland is 4-3 and Indiana is 19-3.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Cavaliers are 9-21 and the Pacers are 32-10.
- Indiana is 15-12 ATS at home, while Cleveland is 13-13-1 ATS on the road.
- Of the Cavaliers’ 27 road games, they have 14 unders, 12 overs and 1 push.
- The Pacers have 19 unders and 8 overs in 27 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Cleveland and Indiana have both had 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Pacers are 3-2.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 104.0 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.4 points per game (3.8 below their season average).
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.6, up from 5.2 for the season.
