Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
April 18, 2018
Date & time: Wednesday, April 18 @7:00 PM
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland)
Head to Head record
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers 80-98 (2017/2018 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers 115-108 (2017/2018 NBA)
Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers 97-95 (2017/2018 NBA)
Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers 106-102 (2017/2018 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers 107-124 (2017/2018 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers prediction
Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to get their revenge on Indiana Pacers for a 98-80 loss at their Quicken Loans Arena when the two teams face each other in game 2 of the 2018 NBA play-offs.
“King James” can do better
Cleveland Cavaliers were playing below expectations in the regular season. Isaiah Thomas is no longer part of the team and, no doubt, once again Cavs will rely on key player LeBron James in the play-offs. However, the “King James” did not help them record a win in the opening game of the 2018 NBA play-offs, with the team suffering a heavy 98-80 loss to Indiana in front of home fans. Cleveland are hungry for revenge and, as things stand now, this has to go down as a must-win game for the hosts. Kevin Love failed to impress in Game 1 as he scored no more than 9 points and I am positive that LeBron James, who had 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the 98-80 loss to Pacers can do better as well. Tyronn Lue’s men are likely to leave their hearts on the court, but this game will be anything but a walk in the park for the last season’s runners-up.
Kyle Korver and George Hill are both rated doubtful and the duo will be assessed ahead of the game. Coach Tyronn Lue has no other injury worries.
Impressive start
Indiana Pacers finished the regular season in 5th place in the Eastern Conference and, as a result, they do not have a home-court advantage in the tie against Cleveland Cavaliers. However, Pacers proved their worth in the opening clash of the 2018 play-offs, with the team rolling over Cavs 98-80 at Quicken Loans Arena. Victor Oladipo looked unstoppable in Game 1, with the former Orland Magic ace scoring 32 points in the triumph over Cleveland and, no doubt, Tyronn Lue’s men should have him at bay in Wednesday’s showdown. Myles Turner produced a fine performance in the opener as well and he will be yet another man to watch in the away team when the two teams face each other at Quicken Loans Arena for the second time in three days. Indiana Pacers are not regarded as good travelers, but you should bear in mind that they recorded five wins in previous seven away games in NBA.
Coach Nate McMillan has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Game 2 and he is likely to field the same starting line-up that face Cleveland on Sunday.
Interesting Facts
- Indiana emerged triumphant in five of last six meetings with Cleveland
- Cavs recorded eights wins in previous ten home games in NBA
- Cleveland made no more than 8 3-point field goals in Game 1
- Victor Oladipo has been averaging 23.1 points this season
- LeBron James missed four three throws in Game 1
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers betting pick
Cleveland Cavaliers want this win more than Indiana Pacers and I believe that they are going to clinch home-court advantage this time out. LeBron James has already shown that he can win games all alone and seeing that Cavs are a real force to be reckoned with at home, I am tempted to put my money on Tyronn Lue’s troops this time out.
Pick: Cavs – 8.5
Odds: -115
