Game Details:
Matchup: Indiana Pacers (46-34) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (49-31)
Date & Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
Betting Line: Cavaliers -2.5 | Over/Under: 229.5

Key Storylines

Playoff Implications Loom Large

As the regular season nears its end, both teams are eyeing improved playoff positioning. The Cavaliers currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, while the Pacers are battling for a top-six seed, trying to avoid the Play-In Tournament.

Season Series Up for Grabs

This will be the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the two teams. Cleveland leads the series 2-1, and a win tonight would give them the season edge. Indiana, coming off a strong road win against Chicago, will be motivated to even things up.

Mitchell Heating Up for Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell has found his scoring rhythm at the right time, averaging 29.4 points per game over his last five. With the playoffs on the horizon, his leadership on both ends will be crucial for the Cavaliers.

Pacers’ Fast-Paced Offense

The Pacers continue to thrive in a high-octane offense, ranking first in the league in pace and top five in offensive rating. Tyrese Haliburton is distributing the ball at a league-best clip, and Indiana will look to push the tempo against Cleveland’s more deliberate half-court style.

Injury Report

Indiana Pacers:
Questionable: Myles Turner (ankle), Aaron Nesmith (groin)
Out: Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder)

Cleveland Cavaliers:
Out: Evan Mobley (knee), Caris LeVert (back)
Questionable: Jarrett Allen (illness)

Betting Trends

Against the Spread (ATS):
Pacers: 39-41 ATS this season
Cavaliers: 37-43 ATS this season

Over/Under Trends:
The total has gone over in 45 of Indiana’s 80 games
The total has gone under in 44 of Cleveland’s 80 games

Player Props to Watch

Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) – Points Total: 27.5
Mitchell has scored 28+ in four of his last five games. With Mobley and LeVert out, the Cavaliers will lean on his shot-creating even more.

Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) – Assists Total: 10.5
Haliburton remains one of the NBA’s top facilitators, and with Cleveland’s strong interior defense, he may rely even more on setting up teammates.

Prediction & Best Bets

Spread: Cavaliers -2.5 → Cleveland’s home-court edge and Mitchell’s current form make them a slight favorite, but this one could go down to the final possession.

Total: Over 229.5 → Indiana’s up-tempo pace combined with missing defenders could lead to a high-scoring affair.

Player Prop: Tyrese Haliburton Over 10.5 Assists → Expect Haliburton to be heavily involved against a short-handed Cavaliers frontcourt.

This game means a lot for playoff seedings, and both teams are likely to treat it with playoff-level intensity. With star power and contrasting styles, fans and bettors alike are in for an exciting matchup.

Final Score Prediction: Cavaliers 118, Pacers 115