East Playoffs Matchup Probabilities and Forecasts: Wager on Cleveland for Eastern Conference Victory?
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. This highly-anticipated matchup follows the Pacers' dramatic upset victory over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, a series they won in five games.
The Pacers' success in the 2025 playoffs has set them up as favourites for the Eastern Conference Finals. Their journey culminated in reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, a testament to their momentum and high ceiling moving into the 2025-26 season.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers face pressure to improve significantly, as anything less than an NBA Finals appearance will be seen as a disappointment for the team from Cleveland. The Cavaliers are projected to win 55.5 games in the 2025-26 season, but they have salary cap concerns and must prove themselves with a deep playoff run, given the open state of the Eastern Conference due to injuries and departures from other contender teams.
Both teams have relatively long odds to win the NBA championship for the 2025-26 season, with the Pacers at +1800 and the Cavaliers at +900, indicating that while competitive, neither is the outright favourite for the title.
As the playoffs approach, several players' odds for the Eastern Conference Finals MVP have been released. Jayson Tatum leads the way with odds of 100, followed by Jaylen Brown at 1200, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell at 2200, and Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Brunson, and Evan Mobley at 2200 and 1800, respectively. Pascal Siakam is the longest shot at 3500.
The series opener between the Cavaliers and Pacers promises to be a thrilling contest. The Cavaliers are priced at -480 to win the series and are a spread favorite in Game 1. The total for the game is also available for betting.
Fans can tune in to the action on various sportsbook sites, which also offer bonus bets for the NBA playoffs. Some of the top offers include BetMGM Sportsbook's up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if your first bet doesn't win, FanDuel Sportsbook's bonus of $150 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins by betting $5, and Fanatics Sportsbook's up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets.
As the Cavaliers and Pacers prepare to face off, it's clear that the Pacers hold an edge based on their 2025 postseason success over the Cavaliers. However, the Cavaliers are expected to challenge heavily next season and will be eager to overcome their recent playoff setback and manage financial constraints to reach the Conference Finals again or further.
- Despite being projected as underdogs, the Cavaliers arepriced at -480 to win the series and are a spread favorite in Game 1.
- If you're planning to bet on the NBA playoffs, you might want to consider Fanatics Sportsbook's up to $1,000 in No Sweat Bets.
- The Pacers have an edge moving into the series due to their successful run in the 2025 playoffs, reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years.
- Fans who are interested in the Eastern Conference Finals MVP race can wager on players like Jayson Tatum (100 odds) and Kristaps Porzingis (1800 odds).
- The basketball odds for the Pacers to win the NBA championship for the 2025-26 season are slightly higher than the Cavaliers, with the Pacers at +1800 and the Cavaliers at +900.
- The Cavaliers and Pacers faceoff is a high-risk, high-reward wager, given that both teams have relatively long odds to win the championship despite their strong performances in the playoffs.
