Few teams are worse betting on NBA Games values than Cleveland. Time and again the Cavaliers are bankroll busting overlays. “Amateur Hour” gamblers flock to the Cavs. Back to back appearances in the NBA Finals does make them appealing. LeBron James presence adds to their public lore. Consequently, oddsmakers continue to make gamblers pay. Knowing the public flocks to the Cavs the prices are raised. Thus, teams like Indiana become bargains. Enhanced value consistently pays against Cleveland. Add a quality home team like the Pacers and you have a good bet. Indiana must do or die in game six!
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Game 6
Date and Time: Friday, April 27, 2018, 8 p.m. p.m. Eastern
Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Pacers -1, Over/Under 204, Pacers -118, Cavaliers -102
Cavaliers vs. Pacers TV Coverage: TNT
Series so Far
Cleveland leads this best of seven series 3-2. With a win in game six they clinch the series. However, Indiana has been the superior betting on NBA Games value. Four of the five games so far were covered by Indiana. If Indiana wins game six the seventh game is at Cleveland on Sunday. The winner of this series goes to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game Five saw the Cavs win 98-95. But the Pacers covered as 6.5 points dogs. LeBron James scored 44 points with 10 rebounds and eight assists in game five.
Cavaliers
So far in the playoffs James has willed the Cavs on his shoulders. The King boasts a team best 35 points and 11 rebounds per game. But from James there is quite a drop-off. Center Kevin Love has 12 points and 10 rebounds per tilt. What has been most remarkable is Cleveland’s defense. In the regular season it was a liability. So far in the playoffs it ranks second best in the NBA.
Pacers
Speaking of defense Indiana has the top ranked playoff unit. Guard Victor Oladipo leads the Pacers with 20 points per game. Problematic is that the Pacers don’t have a rebounder to match the Cavs. Nor has Oladipo gotten much help. Survival for Indiana depends on more secondary scoring and rebounding. Defense was a team strength all season. Offense has been the weakness. And James has been the difference as only he can be.
Team vs. Team
Cleveland has just three sportsbook covers in their last 13 games with Indiana. Just two of the last ten in this matchup went over the total. At Indiana the Cavs have just five covers in their last 20 visits. Five in a row in this series at Indy have gone under the number. Bankers Life Fieldhouse should provide an advantage with a boisterous crowd.
Matchup to Watch
Indiana should be a tremendous home value in game six. Cleveland’s defense is still a potential betting on NBA Games liability. Seems hard to forget their terrible regular season returns. Public money consistently makes the Cavs a poor value. With so much on the line the Pacers should be primed. An overflow crowd will be backing them. Motivational edge to stave off elimination will help. Home court and better defense make Indiana appealing.
Cavaliers vs. Pacers: Betting on NBA Games
Based on head to head dominance Indiana is the pick!
NBA Betting Online Pick: Indiana Pacers
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Pacers 104, Cavaliers 96