East Playoff Showdown Odds and Analysis: Back Cleveland for Victory in the Cavaliers-Pacers Series?
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers are set to square off in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, with the series kicking off on May 4. The Cavaliers, led by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, boast a strong defense that ranked 8th in the league during the regular season.
The Pacers, on the other hand, may face a challenge against Cleveland's superior defense, particularly in their shooting splits. Indiana's transition defense performed well in the postseason, but they were below average in the regular season.
The predicted outcome for this matchup favors the Cavaliers. Oddsmakers and analysts have given them higher chances than most Eastern teams, including the Pacers. The Cavaliers had a strong 2024-25 season, nearing 70 wins with a 15-game winning streak, and won their division for the first time since 1976 without LeBron James. However, they were upset by the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals last year, revealing some playoff vulnerabilities related to inexperience.
Despite this upset, the Cavaliers remain projected to be Eastern Conference favorites for the 2025-26 season and beyond. They accumulated 64 regular-season wins, securing the No. 1 seed in the East. The Cavaliers' net rating in the East was second only to the defending champion Boston Celtics. Their offensive efficiency, excluding their performance in the opening series against the Heat, settled in the 97th percentile.
The Pacers, meanwhile, are seen as a strong but less favored competitor. They made a surprising upset over Cleveland last postseason, demonstrating their depth and ability to challenge top contenders. Their over/under win total projection for the upcoming season is around 38.5 wins.
The odds for the Cavaliers to win the series are available at -480, with an implied probability of 82.35%. A parlay involving the Cavaliers' series price in the semifinals and the estimated odds for Cavs vs. Celtics may not provide as much value. The odds for the Cavaliers to win the Eastern Conference are available at 265, with an implied probability of 36.4%.
Kenny Atkinson, the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, implemented a motion-based attack for the team. The Cavaliers delivered the NBA's best offensive efficiency in the regular season, accumulating 121 points per 100 possessions. Their half-court offense is a strength, while the Pacers' defense is most suspect in this area.
Clicking on any of the Game 1 odds for Cavaliers vs. Pacers allows you to place a bet on the NBA playoffs this week. The Pacers are priced at 360 to win the series. The Cavaliers are a spread favorite in Game 1.
While the Pacers have proven they can challenge and potentially upset Cleveland, the Cavaliers' strong roster, season performance, and overall perception as favorites make them the predicted winner of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals. The final outcome may depend on Cleveland overcoming their playoff adaptability concerns and the Pacers maintaining their depth and versatility shown in previous playoffs.
- In the NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers and Pacers are set to face each other in the second round, with the series beginning on May 4.
- During the regular season, the Cavaliers' defense ranked 8th in the league, posing a potential challenge for the Pacers, particularly in shooting splits.
- The Pacers, however, demonstrated their depth and ability to challenge top contenders with their upset over Cleveland last postseason.
- For the 2025-26 season, the Cavaliers are projected to be Eastern Conference favorites, with their net rating in the East being second only to the defending champion Boston Celtics.
- In sports betting, the odds for the Cavaliers to win the series against the Pacers are available at -480, with an implied probability of 82.35%.
- The Pacers, in the Game 1 of this series, are priced at 360 to win the series, while the Cavaliers are a spread favorite, hinting at their favorite status in the eyes of bookmakers.
