Pacers vs Cavaliers NBA Pick: Can Indiana Take A Commanding 3-0 Lead Over Cleveland? (May 9)

• The Indiana Pacers go home with a 2-0 lead over the top team in the Eastern Conference.
• Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won 64 games this season, are two losses away from being eliminated.
• These squads last played on May 6, with the Pacers claiming a one-point victory.

One of the games on Friday’s NBA slate features the Indiana Pacers hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of a second-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Will the Pacers stay hot in our Pacers vs Cavaliers pick?

Pacers-Cavaliers Game 2 Recap

After stealing the opener, it would have been reasonable to presume the Pacers were merely lucky. However, Indiana followed that up with a dramatic 120-119 victory in Game 2, and can potentially close out the series on its home floor.

Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner guided a Pacers’ offense in which all five starters reached double figures. They scored 23 points each. Tyrese Haliburton, voted the most overrated player in the association, finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists on 7-for-11 shooting from the field.

On the other side of this matchup, Donovan Mitchell did a bit of everything for the short-handed Cavaliers. He finished with 48 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals.

Max Strus added 23 points and eight rebounds. Jarrett Allen chipped in with 22 points and 12 boards, connecting on seven of his nine shot attempts.

The Pacers trailed by 14 points going into the final frame. Additionally, the Cavaliers led 117-110 with 1:06 remaining. As it turned out, the game was far from over.

Haliburton missed the back end of a pair of free throws that would have pulled Indiana within a point. Fortunately, he got the offensive rebound and knocked down a huge 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining.

For the third consecutive postseason contest, Haliburton has delivered. As a result, the Pacers have the top-seeded Cavaliers on the ropes.

Pacers vs Cavaliers Pick: Who Has The Edge In Game 3 Of This Second-Round Matchup

Despite dropping the first two games, the Cavaliers enter this matchup as a 2.5-point favorite according to BetOnline. Here are a few betting trends for both sides looking ahead to Game 3.

• The Pacers are 7-1 straight-up (SU) in their last eight games.
• Indiana is 1-4 against the spread in its previous five home contests against Cleveland.
• The Cavaliers are 12-6 overall in their last 18 contests.
• Cleveland has covered the spread four times in its previous five road matchups against the Pacers.

The Pacers have won five of the six matchups between these ball clubs this season, and they look confident against the conference’s top team. But with their backs against the wall, look for the Cavaliers to get back into the series when these teams square off on Friday night.