The Cleveland Cavaliers accomplished what they needed to in Indiana, splitting two games to head back home with a 2-2 series tie. The best-of-seven series against the Indiana Pacers is down to three games, as each side needs two more to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
This has been a fascinating series, as it features the dominant LeBron James against a more well-rounded Pacers team. The Cavs entered the postseason as the favorites in the East but it’s no given they even escape the first round. This game is huge for both sides. If Indiana can pull off the upset, it will head home for Game 6 with a chance to close out the series.
If Cleveland wins, it will regain control and be in the driver’s seat. Even though the Cavaliers are the favorites, this has been a very competitive and evenly-matched series. This one could go down to the wire once again in NBA basketball betting lines.
Game 5 of this NBA Playoff Series is on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 7 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The contest will be nationally televised on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Odds Analysis
The Cavaliers are listed as 6.5-point favorites in the pivotal Game 5. The betting public sees that as too big of a spread. Nearly 70 percent of the action is on the Pacers to cover that spread.
The scoring total is listed at 205 points, with the “over” being much more commonly chosen. More than 75 percent of the activity believes the total will surpass the expected number.
The Cavs are listed as -290 favorites on the moneyline while Indiana is the +237 underdog. The Cavaliers are getting most of the action to win this game outright.
Last Time Out
The Cavaliers blew a big lead in Game 3 and nearly did so in Game 4, but kept their composure in a 104-100 victory. James was his usual dominant self, finishing with 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. He shot 12-of-22 from the field despite missing all five of his three-point attempts.
Cleveland got a big boost from Kyle Korver, who scored 18 points and hit 4-of-9 from three-point range. Cleveland’s effectiveness often comes down to the supporting cast helping out James, and Korver did so in this one.
Indiana used a big third quarter to pull close in this one but couldn’t hit enough big shots down the stretch. Domantas Sabonis had a big game for Indiana, finishing with a team-best 19 points off the bench.
Key Stat
204. That was the point total for Game 4, which was the most in any game this series. It is interesting to see the scoring total listed at 205 points for Game 5 despite this series being such a defensive slugfest thus far.
In Game 1, the teams combined for only 178 points as the Cavs mustered only 80 as a group. Game 2 was the second-highest scoring of the series but still only totaled 197 points as Cleveland picked up a 100-97 victory. In Game 3, the defenses were again on display as Pacers pulled out a 92-90 win.
James is a phenomenal talent, but the Cleveland offense is still clunky. The scoring total in this one seems too high even with Cleveland returning home, where it hopes to score more efficiently.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Cavaliers got back on track in Game 4, but beyond the team’s hype, the Pacers are actually the better team. If Indiana can get solid games from their top players like Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner they should have no problem covering this spread. The home court advantage should keep Cleveland close but the choice is for the Pacers to pull off the upset.
The “under” is once again the choice on the scoring total in NBA basketball betting.
NBA ATS Pick: Pacers 102, Cavaliers 99
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