The Cleveland Cavaliers have been flying excessive all season, however they all of the sudden discover themselves in a 2-0 gap in opposition to the Indiana Pacers within the second spherical of the 2025 NBA playoffs. And now they should take their act on the street. Cleveland limped by Sport 2 with out two All-Stars (Evan Mobley and Darius Garland) and a key reserve (De’Andre Hunter), however there’s optimism that each one three gamers, together with Garland, who has missed the final 4 video games, will attempt to play on Friday.
Donovan Mitchell exploded for 48 factors the final trip and can proceed to guide the cost in Indianapolis. However Mitchell’s spectacular output simply wasn’t sufficient as Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning 3-pointer with one second remaining to elevate the Pacers in a 120-119 win. Now, the East’s No. 1 seed and a 64-game winner within the common season is 2 losses away from elimination.
Regardless of trailing 2-0, the Cavaliers are nonetheless favored to win the collection, and all six of our consultants picked Cleveland to advance to the Jap Convention finals.
Cavaliers vs. Pacers Sport 3 information
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | Date: Friday, Could 9
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis
TV channel: ESPN | Dwell stream: fubo (Attempt without spending a dime)
Odds (by way of DraftKings): Cavaliers -3.5, O/U 229
Cavaliers vs. Pacers Sport 3 greatest guess
The Pacers constructed a 2-0 lead on the vastly inferior Bucks of their first-round collection and misplaced Sport 3. There are a variety of essential variations. The Pacers are at residence this time, as an illustration. However in addition they benefitted from fairly a little bit of taking pictures luck within the two video games in Cleveland, and whereas we do not but know who’s and is not enjoying for the Cavaliers, it is price noting that they got here two incorrectly missed lane violations away from successful Sport 2 with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter out. Should you’ve believed within the Cavaliers all season, do not abandon them after two bizarre, injury-plagued groups. They’re combating for his or her lives. The Pacers aren’t. The Choose: Cavaliers -3.5