Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Despite topping the Eastern Conference with a stunning 64-18 record and coming into the playoffs as third-favorites for the Championship, the Cleveland Cavaliers are already on the brink of elimination. 

The Cavs are 3-1 down in their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers, who stunned the NBA when winning their opening two matches in Cleveland. The Pacers would love to finish the job in just five meetings, although they know they will get another match in Indiana if they lose Tuesday's Game 5. 

Cleveland needs to win to survive, and although they may succeed in that goal when taking on the Pacers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, they could struggle to land a convincing victory. 

Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5 betting picks and predictions

Indiana Pacers +8.0 (-115)

The Cavaliers are favorites for this clash but based on how this series has gone so far, it can only be because of their literal need to win that explains why that is the case. 

The Pacers have been the better team throughout this series, picking up two wins in Cleveland already, and they had the Cavs' number and then some in Game 4. Indiana held a 41-point lead at halftime in that victory and they will, as a result, be much fresher for Game 5. 

Rick Carlisle's side were able to relax for the final two quarters, eventually winning 129-109, but there was no such zen for Cleveland, who battled hard to no avail and will be feeling the pressure as they stare down the barrel at elimination. 

All the stats point towards swerving the Cavs, and that is without even considering that their best player, Donovan Mitchell, is a major doubt for Tuesday. 

The Pacers have covered a +8.0 line in seven of the last 10 head-to-heads, as well as in 16 of their last 20 games, and they should be able to cover that line even if Mitchell plays. 

However, if Mitchell is unavailable, it could pay to back Indiana at a big +260 price on the Money Line. The Cavs went 9-2 with their star man in the regular season but their two losses came against, you guessed it, the Pacers. 

Benedict Mathurin Over 1.5 threes made (+165)

The only blight on the Pacers' stunning Game 4 victory was the poor discipline from Benedict Mathurin, which saw him ejected after just one minute on the court. The Canadian used a closed fist to strike De'Andre Hunter and he will be keen to make amends for that mistake. 

Of course, Indiana didn't require his services in the end, comfortably routing the Cavaliers, but Mathurin is a useful player to have around and his ability to knock down threes should help the Pacers cover the spread in Cleveland. 

Mathurin has made two three-pointers in two of the four games in this series, and he seemingly loves playing the Cavs. While he averaged just 1.4 made threes per game in the regular season, he managed at least two in two of his three meetings with Cleveland. 

Back and with a point to prove, Mathurin can hit a couple of threes as Indiana continues to impress on Tuesday. 

Myles Turner Over 14.5 points (-120)

It is harsh to single out one individual from a woeful Cavaliers team performance in Game 4, but to say Jarrett Allen was invisible would be an understatement. The Cleveland center grabbed just two rebounds and scored the same number of points, and he could be in for another tough time on Tuesday. 

The Pacers will look to get at Allen, who has struggled on defense by his standards throughout this series, too. Indiana's center, Myles Turner, should enjoy Tuesday's trip to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. 

Turner put up 21 points in Game 4, meaning he has cleared a 14.5 line in three of his four postseason contests against the Cavaliers, and he has been in decent form throughout the playoffs. 

The Indiana star has scored at least 15 points in seven of his nine playoff appearances this season, which is especially impressive after coming up against Giannis Antetokounmpo in the previous round, and he can dominate the paint again. 

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Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5 odds

Indiana Pacers	+260 ML
Cleveland Cavaliers	-320 ML
Spread	Cavaliers -8.0
Total Points	O/U 230.5

Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5 player props

Player Points

Donovan Mitchell (CLE)	O/U 27.5
Darius Garland (CLE)	O/U 19.5
Evan Mobley (CLE)	O/U 18.5
Pascal Siakam (IND)	O/U 17.5
Tyrese Haliburton (IND)	O/U 16.5
Myles Turner (IND)	O/U 16.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.