NBA Basketball
2026-04-05 - Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Sunday 5th April 2026 - Scheduled 6pm EST
11pm (British Time)
Preview
They are on the verge of clinching a top four Seed in the Eastern Conference and with some ambitions of climbing into the top three, but the Cleveland Cavaliers (48-29) know the biggest test for them is yet to come. Last season they were beaten in the Eastern Conference Second Round in the Playoffs as injuries piled up, but the Cavaliers are looking fresher and they have plenty of people who believe they can take a couple of steps and reach the NBA Finals.
It is the fourth season in a row that the Cavaliers are going to be heading to the post-season, while the trades made during the season made it clear that they are all in.
The team have won seven of the last nine games played, although it should be noted that the Cavaliers are just 2-7 against the spread in that time. One of the criticisms of the team may be that they have played up or down to the level of the opponent, which has resulted in that poor run against the spread, but the Cleveland fans will be pushing the team to make a statement on Sunday.
Not only are they facing the team that eliminated them from the Playoffs in 2025, but the Cleveland Cavaliers know that the Indiana Pacers (18-59) are going to be incredibly short-handed. Pascal Siakim suffered an injury in the blowout loss to the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana have played without Tyrese Haliburton all season, while other key contributors are also on the sidelines.
It is perhaps no surprise that they are missing the Playoffs ten months after forcing a Game 7 in the NBA Finals, but the Pacers would have expected to have more wins than they currently hold. Only the Washington Wizards have won fewer games than the Indiana Pacers this season and that has been a disappointment, even if they have the roster to bounce back next season with better health.
At least Indiana can point to the fact they have been competitive in recent games with three wins in the last six played, but it may be tough to find enough bodies to keep up with the Cavaliers in this one.
As mentioned, Cleveland have not been a very good team to back to cover the spread in recent outings, but they should be pushed on by the home crowd to record a comfortable win on Sunday. This is the first of a back to back spot, but the second of those is against another injury hit squad of the Memphis Grizzlies and so the Cavaliers should be able to roll in both.
Without a number of the top players on the roster, Indiana may struggle to retain the Offensive consistency that may be needed in this one.
Even with a big number to begin, the Pacers could just come up short and the Cleveland Cavaliers may be able to produce a rare cover as they continue to chase down the New York Knicks for the Number 3 Seed in the Eastern Conference.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Cleveland Cavaliers 122-102 Indiana Pacers
