The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Indiana Pacers tonight in the first game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The Cavs are coming off a phenomenal regular season, finishing the year with a 64-18 record. There are high expectations for Cleveland, but also many doubters who believe they’re incapable of making a run into the playoffs into the finals.
Can the Pacers pull off an upset in this series? It’s unlikely. But they are capable of winning a game or two.
The Pacers actually won the regular-season series 3–1, though two of those victories came without Donovan Mitchell and other key Cavs players in the lineup. Meanwhile, the Pacers’ only loss came when Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined.
Notably, Indiana claimed one win with both Mitchell and Haliburton on the court — a 108–93 victory on January 12 that snapped Cleveland’s 12-game winning streak.
So the Pacers are capable of defeating the Cavs at full strength. But of course, containing Cleveland starts at the three-point line, where they are shooting 44% during the playoffs.
Indiana will need pressure along the perimeter from Andrew Nembhard and for Miles Turner to step up defensively in the pick-and-roll without sacrificing his rim protection duties.
Expect Cleveland to win tonight at home, but Indiana can win a couple back home in Indianapolis.
How to Watch Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Tonight’s Pacers-Cavaliers game tips off just after 6:00 PM Eastern. The game is broadcast nationally on TNT and streams live on TNT’s app and website as well as Max.
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Time: 6:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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