NBA Picks: Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Sunday, 1/5/14, 6:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Indiana -9.5
Current Betting Line: Indiana -9.5
Opening Total: 186
Current Total: 184
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Indiana Pacers have dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in recent years

Indiana is 6-1 SUATS over its last seven games, including a 99-82 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans as 11.5-point home favorites last time out, while going UNDER the betting total in six of those affairs. The Pacers own the NBA’s best record and have already beaten the Cavaliers twice during the 2013-14 campaign, which is important to consider when making your pro basketball picks Sunday. The franchise has won eight consecutive games in the series by allowing an average of 85.6 points. Indiana is 15-2 SU and 12-5 ATS versus losing teams this season.

The Pacers have all five probable starters averaging in double figures, with forward Paul George leading the charge at 23.5 points a contest. Indiana is 10-5 SU on the road this season, including a 6-3 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Offensively, the team leads the league in allowing just 35.3 points per game in the paint, which includes a 42-24 advantage in the last meeting over the Cavaliers. The franchise has outscored opponents by 8.6 points per game in the second half this season.

Cleveland has dropped seven of its last eight games, including an 89-82 setback to the Brooklyn Nets as 6.5-point road underdogs Saturday, while going UNDER the betting total in three consecutive affairs. The Cavaliers are unsure if point guard Kyrie Irving’s return for this matchup, as he’s missed the last two games with a left knee injury. He is averaging a team-high 22.2 points and 6.1 assists per game. Cleveland is 2-6 SU and 1-7 ATS versus division foes this season.

The Cavaliers have won all five of their games when holding opponents under 40 percent shooting, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Cleveland enter last night’s affair with its bench averaging 39.1 points per game versus conference rivals. The franchise is 9-7 SU at Quicken Loans Arena this season.