The first matchup of the second round has been set. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers will start their Eastern Conference battle this Sunday. After a dominant regular season, the Cavaliers will try to cement their status as more than just regular-season threats. The Pacers, on the other hand, are attempting to prove that their appearance in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals was more than a fluke. This Pacers vs Cavaliers series will tell us a lot about the Eastern Conference hierarchy. Let’s look at the matchup and make a Cavs vs Pacers series prediction.
NBA Playoffs Round 2: Cavs Vs Pacers Series Prediction
Cavaliers Show Versatility All Season Long
The Cavaliers are one of the best surprises of the season. They dominated throughout the regular season with multiple impressive winning streaks, finishing with the East’s top record of 64-18. The Cavaliers finished the season with the league’s top offense. They are also led on the defensive end by the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley. The Cavs ended the season with a top-10 defense.
The Cavs’ excellence didn’t end with the regular season either. In the first round, they handled the Miami Heat easily with a 4-0 sweep. Now, they face a tougher test from the surging Pacers.
Pacers Hot at the Right Time
At the beginning of the season, it seemed like the Pacers weren’t going to live up to the expectations their team set last season. They started 16-18 and looked like they would not be a threat in the East at all. Then they turned things around with a strong second half, ending with 50 wins and the fourth seed. The Pacers ended the season with the 9th-ranked offense and 14th-ranked defense, but those numbers may be slightly skewed by their slow start.
Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton will have his work cut out for him facing the Cavaliers’ backcourt. However, the Pacers seem built to survive the postseason grind. Could they surprise everyone with another Eastern Conference Finals berth?
Cavs Vs Pacers Series Prediction
This series will be a huge test for both of these teams. The Pacers faced a hobbled Bucks team in round one, and for the Cavs, any Eastern Conference Play-In team isn’t a real test for a contender. Indiana’s offensive firepower, led by Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, ensures they won’t go down quietly. But Cleveland’s defensive versatility, offensive weapons, and half-court efficiency give them the edge.
The series could come down to two major matchups. The first is between Haliburton and the Cavaliers’ star backcourt. Haliburton alone won’t be able to keep up with the production of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Can one of his backcourt mates rise to the occasion?
Second is between Siakam and the formidable defensive combo of Mobley and Jarrett Allen. If those two can prevent Siakam from being a key offensive piece in the series, we could see Cleveland dominating things from start to finish.
The Pacers are dangerous, but Cleveland have been too good all season to bet against. We expect the Cavaliers to handle the Pacers without too much stress. Our Cavs vs Pacers series prediction is that the Cavaliers will win the series in five games.
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