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Ed Scimia<\/a> 17+ years betting experience<\/p>\n \n Updated: \u2022 4 min read<\/p>\n The Pacers own one of the worst defenses in the NBA, which the Cavaliers will capitalize en route to a high-scoring final.<\/p>\n Photo By – Reuters Connect. Cleveland Cavaliers forward\/guard Max Strus (2) celebrates after scoring a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors.<\/p>\n The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to get closer to clinching a top-four playoff seed as they host the Indiana Pacers tonight.<\/p>\n Cleveland and Indiana have both been playing to big scores in recent games, and I\u2019m taking the Over to hit again tonight in my Pacers vs. Cavaliers predictions below.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at the full breakdown of tonight\u2019s matchup as I share my free NBA picks<\/a> for Sunday, April 5.<\/p>\n Pacers vs Cavaliers prediction The Indiana Pacers<\/a> have been bad at just about everything this season, but their biggest failures have come on defense. Indiana is allowing 120.8 points per game with a defensive efficiency of 116.2, both of which rank among the Bottom 5 in the NBA.\u00a0<\/p>\n That already had Indiana leaning toward the Over, but the Pacers have added to that trend by finding some offensive spark in recent weeks. Over their last eight games, they are averaging 124.6 PPG, a total that would make them the league’s best offensive team if they had maintained that level all year.<\/p>\n A Top-10 pace means both Indiana and its opponents have plenty of possessions, resulting in frequent Overs.<\/p>\n At 119.3 PPG, the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> have one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA. They’re shooting 48% from the field and will likely do even better against the Pacers, who are allowing opponents to hit 49.1% of their shots. Donovan Mitchell<\/a> (27.7 PPG) and James Harden<\/a> (20.2 PPG) have this offense humming, with Cleveland hitting the Over in three of its last four games.<\/p>\n These trends are all likely to continue tonight. The Pacers may suffer a bit with the loss of Pascal Siakam, but that\u2019s going to hurt them on both sides of the ball, meaning Cleveland\u2019s offense can pick up any slack if Indiana struggles.<\/p>\n I\u2019m expecting a fast-paced game that will bring home the Over.<\/p>\n Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account Along with taking the Over tonight, I\u2019ll be looking at Cleveland\u2019s Max Strus<\/a> to continue his recent run of strong play for our parlay. Strus has averaged 18.8 PPG and five made threes over his last four games. Given the expectation of a high-scoring game \u2014 and the likelihood that the Cavaliers will be on the winning side \u2014 Strus has every opportunity to hit the Over on both his points and threes made props tonight.<\/p>\n Pacers vs Cavaliers SGP<\/p>\n Over 239 Our “from downtown” SGP: Cleveland rocks<\/p>\n For our long-shot SGP tonight, I\u2019m going to look at a few different Cleveland props that will come together in this game.<\/p>\n That starts with taking James Harden<\/a> to pick up his 21st double-double of the season. I also like Dennis Schroder<\/a> to hit his assists total, as he\u2019s averaging 4.8 assists per game on the year and dished out six against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u2022 Betting Analyst<\/p>\n
\nApr 5, 2026 , 01:57 PM ET<\/p>\n
\nPacers vs Cavaliers best bet: Over 239 (-110)<\/p>\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775413525_447_google-preferred-source-badge.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a>Pacers vs Cavaliers same-game parlay<\/p>\n
\nMax Strus Over 3.5 made threes<\/p>\n