Pivotal Game 3 Looms as Cavaliers Head to Indianapolis
The Cleveland Cavaliers walk into Gainbridge Fieldhouse with their season on the edge. Down 2-0 to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the pressure is on to finally turn the momentum their way. After two stumbles at home, the Cavaliers are counting on their stars—and perhaps a little luck in the injury department—to claw back in the series.
All eyes are on Donovan Mitchell, who is carrying a huge offensive load. His 43-point explosion in their last outing wasn’t enough, but it served notice that he can take over a game at any moment. Cleveland will need every bit of that spark, especially as injuries continue to pop up at the worst moments. Darius Garland’s toe, Evan Mobley’s ankle, and De’Andre Hunter’s thumb are all concerns heading into Game 3, clouding the Cavs' outlook with a little more uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Indiana is riding high. Tyrese Haliburton isn’t just steadying the ship—he’s actively steering it with confidence. In Game 2, he pulled off a 20-point rally and dropped a game-winning three, leaving Cleveland searching for answers. The Pacers’ ability to surge late in games and steal wins on the road has suddenly made them look like a dangerous playoff threat, especially now that they’re back home with the crowd behind them.
Odds, Predictions, and Betting Angles
If you’re following the betting scene, the numbers help tell the story of this matchup. The Cavaliers opened as slight favorites, falling somewhere between -1.5 and -3 depending on the sportsbook. That’s a remarkably slim cushion for a team facing a possible 0-3 deficit. Total points projections hover in the 226.5 to 229.5 range, hinting at another high-octane affair.
Take the SportsLine Projection Model: known for simulating games 10,000 times and racking up a 159-116 record, it's giving the Cavaliers vs. Pacers game a closer look. The model likes Cleveland to cover the spread, pegging the most likely outcome around 119-114 in favor of the Cavs, and it’s also leaning towards the over on total points. Experts are echoing that expectation, picking Cleveland against the spread and betting on a shootout.
The biggest X factor? Whether Cleveland can slow Tyrese Haliburton. Southeast Ohio saw firsthand how quickly things can slip away if he gets hot. But with their own backs against the wall—and Mitchell in top form—the Cavs’ hope for a turnaround rests on their ability to weather the injuries, tighten up defensively, and finally get the stops they need late in the game.
Game 3 is set to bring drama, uncertainty, and, if the oddsmakers are right, plenty of points. Whether the Cavaliers fight back or the Pacers run away with it, fans can expect a matchup that lives up to playoff hype.
