Cavs vs Pacers: Preview, betting odds and TV channel

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a rocky week, going 2-2 in their last four games, with one of those wins a last-second victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The loss of Darius Garland has put immense strain on the rest of the a roster that is also missing multiple pieces.

Yet in a head-to-head comparison the Cavs’ injury woes pale in comparison to the Indiana Pacers, who have been missing vast chunks of their rotation the entire season. Only one starter, Caris LeVert, projects to be available when the Pacers visit the Cavs tonight, and they will likely be starting a 6’5″ rookie shooting guard at center with their top four options all out.

The Cavs host the Pacers Sunday evening for the first of two meetings this week. What do you need to know about who is playing and how to bet?

That’s the backdrop for these two Central Division rivals meeting for the second time this season. The other key storyline is the upcoming trade deadline, as the Cavs are reportedly in talks with Indiana about trading for LeVert; perhaps they can have some face-to-face discussions.

Indiana is understandably staggering their way through a lost season and considering blowing up their core to try something new. That’s a far cry from the hope the Cavs have bottled this season with their rising core of young stars. Can Indiana hope to hang with the Cavs tonight?

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers: Odds, spread, over/under

The Cavaliers (32-21) will host the Pacers (19-35) tonight. According to our partners over at WynnBet, the Cavaliers are favored by 6.0 points. The over/under point total is 215.

Cleveland has had an evenly paced week, playing every-other-night since Monday. They were in Charlotte, NC on Friday before coming home to take on Indiana. For the Pacers, they have been on the same basic schedule and last played on Friday in Indianapolis against the Chicago Bulls.

Cavs vs Pacers: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Pacers starters: Caris LeVert, Justin Holiday, Chris Duarte, Torrey Craig, Terry Taylor.

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen (if Garland plays); Brandon Goodwin, Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen (if Garland sits)

The Pacers’ key injuries: T.J. Warren, Myles Turner (out, foot); T.J. McConnell (out, wrist); Isaiah Jackson (out, ankle); Domantas Sabonis (questionable, COVID protocols); Goga Bitadze (questionable, foot); Malcolm Brogdon (questionable, Achilles)

The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Ricky Rubio (out for season, knee); Lauri Markkanen (out, high ankle sprain); Darius Garland (questionable, back)

Cavs vs Pacers: Prediction

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the largest teams in the league even with Lauri Markkanen out due to injury, and it takes legitimate size to handle Jarrett Allen around the basket. The Pacers’ expected starting lineup might be the smallest in the league, including the outmatched Terry Taylor at center.

Nikola Vucevic roasted this Micro Machines version of the Pacers on Friday to the tune of 36 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. Allen, coming off of a 29 point, 22 rebound performance, should feast inside against the Pacers. Look for Evan Mobley to have a strong showing as well.

The Cavs’ offense without Darius Garland has struggled, but the Pacers provide a soft landing place for them to get a rhythm even without the first-time All-Star. If Garland does play he will have plenty of room to work with.

On the other side of the ball the Pacers will try to survive on jumpers, as no one but perhaps LeVert has the verve to drive inside and finish amidst the trees. Instead Duarte, LeVert and Lance Stephenson will hoist from outside and hope a hot shooting night keeps things close.

Most likely it won’t, and the Cavs will make the Pacers their latest short-handed victim. Find a Jarrett Allen prop bet and bet the over, and then come back and take the Cavs winning easily behind a smothering defensive performance.

Prediction: Cleveland 102, Indiana 90

The Bet: Cleveland (-6.0), UNDER

Cavs vs Pacers: Where to Watch

After a rousing and poorly officiated nail-biter win over the Hornets on national television Friday, the Cavs are back to the tried-and-true League Pass tonight. Ohio fans can tune into Bally Sports Ohio, while local Pacers fans can tune into their Bally affiliate — likely BS Indiana or BS Midwest — in turn.

Cleveland Cavaliers Upcoming Schedule

The Cavs will take on the Pacers again on Friday night in Indiana, hoping to make a quick 2-0 boost in the standings off of their injury-riddled foe. In between, they host the San Antonio Spurs, a team with a lot of intriguing-yet-ill-fitting parts.

On Saturday night the Cavaliers will play their first game this season against the Philadelphia 76ers, who could look very different than they do now given this Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline. The Cavs and 76ers will be jockeying for playoff positioning down the stretch.