Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers: Score, Prediction & Stats

The top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 playoffs, but Cleveland has since won every regular-season meeting — including a 120-116 nail-biter in April 2026. With the April 5, 2026 matchup on the horizon, the question isn’t whether these teams are rivals, but what the numbers actually say.

Head-to-Head Games: 116 since 2004 · Cavaliers Wins: 58 (PPG 103.1) · Pacers Wins: 58 (OPP PPG 104.0) · Recent Result: Cavaliers 120-116 Pacers (Jan 6, 2026) · Upcoming Game: Apr 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTC

Who is favored to win, Pacers or Cavaliers?

The betting markets tilt heavily toward Cleveland. Action Network lists the Cavaliers as 15.5-point favorites for the April 5 matchup, with a moneyline of -1450 — implying near-certainty of a Cleveland win. The over/under sits at 239.5 points. Covers projects a similar outlook, calling the Over a “best bet” given both teams’ recent scoring trends.

The Cavaliers have dominated this season series decisively. Since the Pacers’ playoff upset in May 2025, Cleveland has won every regular-season encounter: 120-109 (Nov 21, 2025), 135-119 (Dec 1, 2025), 120-116 (Jan 6, 2026), and 117-108 (Apr 5, 2026). The pattern is consistent — when these teams meet in the regular season, Cleveland finds ways to win.

Current form analysis

Cleveland averages 119.3 points per game this season and shoots 48% from the field, according to Covers. The offense ranks 5th in offensive rating (ORTG 118.4). Indiana, meanwhile, allows 120.8 points per game with a defensive efficiency of 116.2 — both bottom five in the NBA, per Covers’ analysis. The mismatch is structural: Cleveland’s fifth-ranked offense against one of the league’s worst defenses.

Key player matchups

Donovan Mitchell leads Cleveland with 27.7 points per game, while James Harden contributes 20.2 PPG as a secondary scorer. Pascal Siakam has shown flashes for Indiana, reportedly scoring 30 points in recent matchups. The question is whether Indiana’s offense can keep pace with Cleveland’s firepower — the Pacers average 124.6 points over their last eight games, per Covers.

Pacers vs Cavaliers Prediction, Picks & Odds

Betting analysts see value on the over. According to Covers, the Over has hit in nine of the Pacers’ last ten games. The Cavaliers have also covered the Over in three of their last four contests. For the April 5 matchup, Covers identifies “Over 239” as the strongest pick, given both teams’ recent scoring pace and Indiana’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Expert picks

Action Network’s consensus line shows Cleveland -15.5 with O/U 239.5. The moneyline (-1450 for Cleveland) reflects the market’s confidence. However, Covers noted that when Donovan Mitchell was out for the January 6 game, the Under (235.5) became the recommended pick — suggesting player availability dramatically shifts the math.

Betting odds overview

The spread and total have remained consistent across major sportsbooks. Neither team has shown significant home/away variance in recent matchups. Covers also highlights that Cleveland has hit the fourth-quarter moneyline in 49 of its last 79 games, generating +9.50 units — a strong signal of fourth-quarter execution.

“With Donovan Mitchell out, tonight’s matchup profiles as a lower-scoring game.”

— Covers betting analyst

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers score

Recent meetings have produced high-scoring games. The most recent confirmed result: Cleveland defeated Indiana 117-108 on April 5, 2026, per StatMuse. Earlier in the season, the Cavaliers won 120-116 (Jan 6, 2026), 135-119 (Dec 1, 2025), and 120-109 (Nov 21, 2025).

Latest game final score

The April 5 result (117-108) follows a pattern: Cleveland wins, typically by 9-17 points. The narrowest margin came in January (120-116), while the widest was December’s 135-119 blowout. None of these games stayed under 225 total points.

Live score updates

StatMuse provides real-time game logs for both teams, tracking points, rebounds, and assists as they happen. Covers also offers live odds and in-game betting lines for the matchup. For the most current score during live games, checking StatMuse or Covers delivers the fastest updates.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers stats

Head-to-head data reveals a competitive rivalry. Since 2004, these teams have met 116 times, with Cleveland holding a slight edge at 58 wins. Per AiScore, the Pacers have won 57 of those matchups. Overall regular-season data from Land of Basketball shows 219 total games: Pacers 111 wins, Cavaliers 108 wins — suggesting near-perfect parity over the long haul.

Head-to-head stats

The metrics below break down recent performance and season averages for both teams.

Player stats highlights

Mitchell leads Cleveland’s scoring at 27.7 points per game. Harden adds 20.2 PPG as a playmaker and secondary scorer. For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam’s 30-point games show his ability to carry the offense. StatMuse tracks individual player props and game-by-game breakdowns for deeper analysis.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers last 5 games

Cleveland enters this stretch having won five consecutive head-to-head matchups against Indiana. The sequence: 120-109 (Nov 21), 135-119 (Dec 1), 120-116 (Jan 6), and 117-108 (Apr 5). ESPN confirmed the earlier meetings via StatMuse’s game logs.

Recent results breakdown

The December blowout (135-119) represents Indiana’s worst performance in this stretch. The January game (120-116) was closer, suggesting the Pacers can keep pace when they limit turnovers and hit perimeter shots. The most recent result (117-108) shows Cleveland winning by nine — consistent with the 9-17 point margin pattern.

Trends and streaks

Covers notes that the Over has hit in nine of the Pacers’ last ten games. Cleveland has covered the Over in three of its last four. Both teams rank in the top ten for pace in recent weeks, per Covers’ analysis. The trend points toward another high-scoring game with Over value.

“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.”

— Covers betting expert

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers: Head-to-Head Comparison

Across 116 head-to-head matchups since 2004, the rivalry remains remarkably balanced overall — 58 wins for each team. Recent form tells a different story, with Cleveland winning the last five encounters. The stats table below summarizes the key offensive and defensive metrics driving predictions.

The implication is clear: Cleveland’s offense exploits Indiana’s defensive weaknesses consistently. Until the Pacers address their bottom-five defensive rating, the matchup heavily favors the Cavaliers.

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Standout individual efforts propelled the Cavaliers’ 117-108 victory, with full match player stats highlighting top scorers and key contributions.

Frequently asked questions