Cavs-Pacers: Starters, odds, injury report and TV channel

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit some of a road bump this week, as veteran supersub playmaker Ricky Rubio tore his ACL on Tuesday in a loss at the New Orleans Pelicans. The Cavaliers did address concerns there by trading for Rajon Rondo (albeit not officially yet), but he’s hardly the contributor Rubio is at this point in his career.

The Cavs have missed Darius Garland this week also, as he’s missed the past three games due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and while other clubs have had virus issues, it just demonstrates how much Garland means to this club. Cleveland lost those last three, and that’s played into it, undoubtedly.

The Cavaliers are still well in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference, though, based on their defense and productive ball movement, and Jarrett Allen back from protocols helps.

Next up for the Wine and Gold is their first meeting with the Indiana Pacers, a fellow Central Division foe to whom they’re of course well-acquainted.

So, what do you have to know about this Cavs-Pacers matchup, and how to bet?

This is the first of four meetings between Cleveland and Indiana, with the Cavs looking to right the ship once again, despite some key injuries/absences of late, and Indy looking to get on track.

The Pacers, in fairness, have been ravaged by injuries themselves, with T.J. Warren still some time away from play, T.J. McConnell out for several months yet and Malcolm Brogdon dealing with injury and currently being in COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Also, for this Indiana group, it’s uncertain as to if they’ll find their way again into the thick of the postseason picture; there’s been rumors of the club potentially shifting to a full-rebuild, and new Indiana head coach Greg Carlisle currently being in protocols doesn’t exactly help.

Even still, Indy has largely owned the Cavaliers in recent seasons, so I’m not overlooking them by any means, and Rondo is currently in COVID protocols.

Cavaliers-Pacers: Odds, spread and over/under

According to our partners at WynnBet, the Cavaliers are favored by 3.0 points right now.  That likely takes into account Indy’s injuries and COVID-19 absences, which paint more of a detailed picture of below.

As far as the over/under, that’s set at 209.0 for both teams for now, with Cleveland’s at 106.5 and Indiana’s at 103.5.

Cavs-Pacers: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Pacers starters: Duane Washington Jr., Caris LeVert, Justin Holiday, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner

Cavs starters: Kevin Pangos/Brandon Goodwin, Isaac Okoro, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Pacers’ injuries: Jeremy Lamb, Chris Duarte, Isaiah Jackson, Kelan Martin (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Malcolm Brogdon, (out, Achilles, health and safety protocols); T.J. Warren (out, foot); T.J. McConnell (out, wrist).

Cavs’ injuries: Darius Garland and Cedi Osman (out, health and safety protocols); Rajon Rondo (out, listed on Lakers health and safety protocols); Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Ricky Rubio (out for season, knee); Dylan Windler (questionable, knee).

Cavs-Pacers: Prediction

Both of these clubs run plenty of offense through their bigs, and I’d expect Sabonis (4.3 assists per game) for Indy to initiate often, as is normally the case even with Brogdon and McConnell involved. And on the other side of the coin, Mobley has great passing instincts as well, and his chemistry with Markkanen and Allen has gotten better as the season’s progressed, so hopefully, we see that on display in this one.

Now, Markkanen has been slumping from three-point range, going just 6-of-40 in his last nine games (a 15.0 percent clip), so I’d hope that changes in coming games. In this contest though, when mismatches arise, and we’ll see if Indy puts Sabonis on him more, I’d like to see Markkanen get plays running into the catch more, where he’s had more success of late.

Generally speaking, one would assume the Cavs try to get some Isaac Okoro early offense as well to counter Caris LeVert at the other end, and perhaps Goodwin, if he starts, can follow up a solid first outing via hardship deal on Friday. A Pangos start would not ideal; it’s a possibility, however.

But the difference to me in this one could be Kevin Love, who has been shooting lights out, and also taking advantage of sound post-up play, too. Love had 35 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in Cleveland’s disappointing loss to Atlanta on Friday, so that wasn’t on him.

And for what it’s worth, this bench role continues to be ideal for him, and Cleveland should still go with that, especially with Osman still out. The Cavs rebound and hold off Indiana, covering by a bit; defensively, they need to pull it together more, though.

Prediction: Cavs 110, Pacers 105

The Bet: Cavs (-3.0), OVER

Cavs-Pacers: Where to watch

Woah! Something different for these Cavaliers, and of course, it’s after they’ve lost three straight games. On a positive note, for those it applies to, this matchup will be on NBA TV. And from a regional perspective, it can be viewed via Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports Midwest, to go with Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast.

Or, for those subscribed, NBA League Pass will do the trick.

Cavaliers upcoming schedule:

After this Indy game, the Cavaliers will have a tough matchup against Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday at home. Following that one, the Wine and Gold will hit the road, taking on Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday in the first contest of a six-game road trip out West.

Coming up after that Portland game, the Cavs will again have their second and final meeting of the season with the juggernaut Golden State Warriors. Hopefully the Cavaliers can settle things down in coming games, and get going again here.