Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Monday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.

The Monday night NBA slate features a rematch from last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals, as the Indiana Pacers host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Cavaliers (12–9, 7th East) enter on the second leg of a back-to-back, looking to snap their first three-game slide of the season after falling to the Boston Celtics at home. The Pacers (4–16, 13th East), meanwhile, have slowly started to regain traction after a post-NBA Finals fall from grace — taking down the Chicago Bulls on Saturday to secure consecutive wins for the first time all season. 

The squads first met on Nov. 21 in Cleveland, where the Cavs secured a double-digit NBA Cup victory behind a 32-point performance from Donovan Mitchell.

Monday’s matchup will feature quite a few notable absences on both sides — here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Jarrett Allen (Finger), Lonzo Ball (Illness), Darius Garland (Toe), Sam Merrill (Hand), Larry Nance Jr. (Calf), Max Strus (Foot)

Indiana Pacers

Out: Johnny Furphy (Ankle), Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Quenton Jackson (Hamstring), Kam Jones (Back), Aaron Nesmith (Knee), Obi Toppin (Foot)

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a 4.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Indiana is listed as a +160 underdog. The game’s total is set at 231.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Pacers Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavs looked invincible during the 2024-25 regular season — a stark contrast to their current state. Cleveland sits near the middle of the pack on offense, featuring a perimeter-focused attack that ranks 13th in points per game. Still, the team boasts one of the best pure scorers in the sport, Donovan Mitchell, who averages just under 30 points per game while adding 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and a team-high 1.5 steals a night.

Cleveland boasts a top-ten defense in the NBA, anchored by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. The Cavaliers rank ninth in steals per game while shutting down the paint and thwarting second-chance opportunities. However, the team becomes more vulnerable without rim protector Jarrett Allen and lockdown perimeter defender Lonzo Ball, both of whom are sidelined Monday night.

Indiana Pacers Preview

This Pacers team is a far cry from the squad that was just one win away from an NBA championship last July. Much of that has to do with injuries, and Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear in Game 7 became the first domino to fall in a full-scale ravaging of the Indiana lineup. 

Indiana’s offense is abysmal, though it’s slowly improved as the lineup has gotten healthier. Pascal Siakam has shouldered much of the load in Haliburton’s absence, leading the team with 23.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game — and fresh off drilling a game-winning jumper against the Bulls. But he has also received solid aid from guards Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard since their returns from injury. 

The Pacers have struggled on the other end for much of the season, but they’ve been the best defensive team in the league over their last three games. Bolstered by NBA blocks leader Jay Huff, Indiana has held opponents under 101 points during that span, with its sole loss coming on a buzzer-beater against the Toronto Raptors. 

Cavaliers vs. Pacers Pick, Best Bet

Indiana’s defense should be the difference maker in this one. Throughout the season, the Pacers’ greatest defensive strength has been guarding the perimeter, holding teams to just 32.1% from three-point range — the third-lowest mark in the sport. That’s especially troublesome for a Cavs team that leads the league in three-point attempts and sits second in makes.

With their coverage firing on all cylinders right now, count on the Pacers to neutralize the depleted — and short-rested — Cavaliers and send the Indiana crowd home happy with a third-straight win.

Best Bet: Indiana Pacers Moneyline (+160)