Cavaliers vs Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton has been the engine behind the Pacers’ impressive five-game winning streak, and he’ll be taking the floor tonight against a Cleveland Cavaliers squad riding a more subdued single-game win streak. Indiana’s dynamic offense, currently averaging one of the league’s highest point totals, gets a favorable matchup at home with a banged-up Cleveland team missing key defensive stopper Jarrett Allen (ankle). While the Cavs feature All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland — both of whom have shown flashes against Indiana in the past — their recent efforts have been inconsistent due to rotations impacted by nagging injuries and late-season fatigue. Meanwhile, Indiana is playing hungry with playoff seeding still up for grabs and coming into the game healthy and clicking on all cylinders, especially with Myles Turner anchoring the paint. Even though the moneyline value at -420 offers a modest payout, the Pacers’ momentum and home-court advantage make this a solid — though not elite — pick. Recommendation: Consider including Indiana as part of a parlay or to anchor a safe bet. Grade: B. Odds and availability are subject to change.

Indiana’s electric five-game win streak comes into Cleveland hot, and Tyrese Haliburton looks more comfortable than ever piloting the Pacers’ offense. With the Cavs clamping down a limited Bucks team in their last outing, they may seem like a defensive juggernaut—but don’t expect the same on Thursday night. Cleveland’s frontcourt rotation remains thinned with Evan Mobley nursing a sore knee and Jarrett Allen still managing a lingering groin issue, giving Indy ample room to attack the paint. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are healthy and pushing tempo for the 63-16 Cavaliers, whose offense is humming ahead of the playoffs. Neither side has much to play for seeding-wise, reducing the likelihood of a grind-it-out style, especially with the Pacers prioritizing rhythm heading into the postseason. With both teams averaging over 115 points in their past ten games and recent matchups between them routinely crossing the 240-point threshold, this one has all the elements of a high-scoring affair. The Over gets a B due to the slightly inflated line, but with both offenses surging and key defensive pieces in question, it offers fair value at even odds. Odds and availability are subject to change.

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs may have already clinched a top seed in the East, but that won't stop the Wine and Gold from trying to keep sharp going into the playoffs. Despite currently sitting on just a one-game win streak, the Cavs are playing with a full-strength roster—no major injuries reported—and feature not just Mitchell, but also Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, all of whom have played well against Indiana earlier this season. The Pacers, riding an impressive five-game win streak, are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, with Tyrese Haliburton playing at an All-NBA level and Pascal Siakam providing two-way excellence. However, with Indiana favored by nine points, it’s worth noting that Cleveland has been solid against the spread on the road this season and has regularly kept games close—even against scoring machines like the Blue and Gold. The Pacers are still fighting for playoff positioning, while the Cavs may have the luxury to manage minutes, which adds some volatility to this pick. Still, given healthy lineups and Cleveland’s grit, taking the Cavaliers to cover as underdogs has solid return potential—even if the Pacers squeak out a win at home. Odds and availability are subject to change.