The Indiana Pacers (26-13), the league’s top scoring defense and 10.5-point favorites, will meet the Cleveland Cavaliers (8-32) at Quicken Loans Arena. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds
Both teams did not cover as underdogs in their last matchup. The Pacers (1-point underdogs) were defeated by the Toronto Raptors, 121-105, while the Cavaliers (9-point underdogs) fell to the New Orleans Pelicans, 133-98. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Indiana game finished 12.5 points over the projected point total of 213.5, while the Cleveland game finished 8.5 points over the projected point total of 222.5.
Indiana had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.7 vs. 20.0) while Cleveland had a better turnover percentage (15.1 vs. 13.0). Cleveland’s Jordan Clarkson led the way, contributing 23 points. Domantas Sabonis, meanwhile was a key piece for Indiana with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
The Cavaliers won the most recent matchup 92-91 to even the season series at one. Larry Nance Jr. recorded a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Cleveland had a better effective field goal percentage (0.451 vs. 0.419). Indiana, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.140 vs. 0.110). The two teams combined to score 183 points, which was well under the projected point total of 206.5, and Cleveland covered as a 13-point underdog.
Games featuring the Pacers have a tendency to finish under the total (59.0 percent). Indiana heads into the contest with records of 26-13 straight up (SU) and 20-18-1 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Indiana, just over half of Cavaliers games have finished over the projected point total. Further, Cleveland owns records of 8-32 SU and 18-22 ATS.
Sabonis has been superb recently for Indiana, averaging 19 points,9.6 rebounds over the last five games.
The ineffective offense of Cleveland (23rd in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 104.1) will clash against the top-notch defense of Indiana (second in the league with a defensive efficiency of 102.0). The Pacers should have the edge on that side of the ball. Furthermore, the Pacers rank 26th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.178), while the Cavaliers rank fourth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.179).
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Cavaliers rank 27th in three pointers attempted per game (25.8) while the Pacers rank 28th (24.8).
- Indiana ranks third in points off turnovers per game (19.6) while Cleveland ranks last (13.5).
- The Pacers rank 10th in points in the paint per game (49.7) while the Cavaliers rank 28th (42.1).
- Indiana ranks 12th in blocks per game (5.3) while Cleveland ranks 29th (2.5).
- Indiana ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (42.7) while Cleveland ranks ninth (43.6).
- The Pacers rank second in steals per game (9.2) while the Cavaliers rank 24th (6.9).
- The Pacers rank ninth in fast break points per game (15.0) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (10.4).
- Indiana ranks ninth in assists per game (25.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th (19.9).
- Cleveland is 3-3 when they allow less than 100 points, while Indiana is 13-3.
- The Cavaliers are 6-14 when they score more than 100 points, while the Pacers are 23-6.
- Indiana is 10-9-1 ATS on the road, while Cleveland is 7-14 ATS at home.
- In 20 road games, the Pacers have 11 overs and 9 unders.
- In 21 home games, the Cavaliers have 13 overs and 8 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pacers are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Indiana has 5 overs, while Cleveland has 4 overs.
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.0, up from 5.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 96.6 points per game (5.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 119.2 points per game (7.1 above their season average).
