Cleveland (42-25) at Indiana (38-30)
When: Monday, March 18th 2024
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse,
Indianapolis, IN
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: League Pass
Opening Odds: Indiana -1/227
The Indiana Pacers will look to stay hot before heading out on the road when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night in Indianapolis. The Pacers are sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings entering Sunday’s action and have won four of their last six games after a 121-100 home win versus the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. Indiana continues to lead the league in scoring (123.1) and shooting percentage (50.5) and are playing healthy right now.
Health is a big concern for the Cavs, as Donovan Mitchell slowly works his way back into an everyday roll. Mitchell’s knee bruise was clearly an issue in Saturday’s 117-103 loss to the Houston Rockets. The five-time All-Star was playing in his second straight game following a seven-game absence and will likely sit out Monday against the Pacers. Cleveland has lost three of four and sit in third place in the conference, just 1.5 games back of Milwaukee.
Indiana is a 7-point favorite in Monday’s contest with a total of 223.5 and have already won the first two meetings this season. Both of the previous matchups took place before Thanksgiving, with Indiana winning 125-113 on the road and 121-116 at home on Nov. 3. The Pacers are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings and the Over has cashed in six of the last eight.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
While Mitchell continues to get back to 100%, the Cavs received a boost on Saturday when center Tristan Thompson returned from a 25-game drug suspension and played 15 minutes off the bench and finished with five points and five rebounds. Cleveland had seven players score in double-digits in the loss to Houston on Saturday, led by Caris LeVert’s 21 off the bench. LeVert also contributed seven assists and three steals, while Georges Niang recorded 14 points and five rebounds.
INDIANA PACERS
Pascal Siakam had 28 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday as he continues to fit in well since arriving in Indianapolis. The two-time All-Star was 11-of-22 shooting in the win over Brooklyn and hasn’t scored fewer than 12 points in 27 games with Indiana. Aaron Nesmith scored 16 on Saturday, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.6 points and 10 assists over his last 10 games. Indiana will begin a five-game road trip Wednesday at Detroit.
Prediction:
Looks like Mitchell is going to sit this one out, which is a huge advantage to Indiana, especially at home. The Pacers are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings and have been a very good option at home this season. I don’t think Cleveland has enough offense to keep up.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
Pick: Pacers -7
