The Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to face the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 22, 2025. The Cavaliers stand as 13.5-point favorites in this matchup. Cleveland aims to maintain momentum while staying undefeated. The game tips off at midnight UTC from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Spread: Cavaliers -13.5, Pacers +13.5
- Moneyline: Cavaliers -900, Pacers +600
- Over/Under: 238.5-239.5 total points
- Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
- Win Probability: Cavaliers 88.2%, Pacers 16%
Head-to-Head Record Analysis
The all-time series heavily favors Indianapolis in the franchise records. The Pacers hold a 111-104 lead across their history. However, recent playoff meetings tell a different story about current team strength. Cleveland has dominated recent Spring competition. The Cavaliers swept their last playoff matchup decisively against Indiana. This makes the spread reflect Cleveland’s current superior talent level.
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In their last 10 meetings, statistics reveal the competitive nature shifts constantly. Pacers won 39 of 71 games historically. Yet Cleveland sits undefeated this season entering this contest. The Cavaliers have won 17 straight games at home against Central Division opponents. Indiana struggles away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse consistently. The disparity in form will show dramatically tonight.
| Statistic | Cavaliers | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| All-Time Record | 104 wins | 111 wins |
| Recent Playoff Record | Won series | Lost series |
| Home vs Away | 17-win streak (home) | Road struggles |
| Points Per Game Avg | 102.5 | 103.7 |
Current Season Form Breakdown
The Cavaliers entered this matchup undefeated in the 2025-26 season. Cleveland finished 64-18 in 2024-25, dominating the Eastern Conference. Coach Kenny Atkinson has transformed this roster into championship contenders. They featured three 2025 All-Stars: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley. The Cavaliers led the conference for 165 straight days last year.
The Pacers struggled to find consistency this season. Indiana posted a 2-13 record through mid-November. The team shows promise but lacks defensive stability. Rick Carlisle coaches these Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton orchestrating offense. Around Nov. 19, the Pacers fell to Houston on the road. Injuries and fatigue have impacted their performance severely.
Statistical Matchups and Key Factors
This matchup hinges on Cleveland’s defensive prowess versus Indiana’s offensive weapons. The Cavaliers allow approximately 0.8 points per game defensively. Indiana concedes around 1.6 points per game defensively. Donovan Mitchell averages over 27.5 points regularly. Analysts project Mitchell to exceed his scoring line in this contest.
Free-throw shooting becomes critical when spreads reach 13.5 points. Cleveland shot 63% from the line against Houston recently. The Cavaliers game plan focuses on imposing Evan Mobley’s presence inside. Mobley provides rim protection and scoring threats. Indiana’s spacing offense challenges Cleveland occasionally. Yet Haliburton’s turnover rate works against the Pacers consistently.
| Key Player Comparison | Points | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell (Cavs) | 27.5+ | Excellent |
| Evan Mobley (Cavs) | Double-double threat | Dominant (4/10 FT line) |
| Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) | Averaging 31.2 | Inconsistent |
Betting Angles and Predictions
Sportsbooks project the Cavaliers covering at -112 lines easy tonight. Forebet algorithms surprisingly give Pacers a 52% probability oddly. Most expert analysis disagrees with algorithmic assessments. Stats Insider predicts Cavaliers win 124-113 in their forecast. The line reflects Cleveland’s overwhelming 88.2% win probability analytically.
Over/under picks lean toward the under at 238.5-239.5. Cleveland’s defensive dominance limits explosive scoring. Pacers slow pace prevents rapid scoring binges. Tournament fatigue affects both Pacers and overall conditioning. The final margin likely exceeds the 13.5 spread honestly. Moneyline favorites at -900 offer poor returns despite win likelihood.
What Happens if Pacers Shock the World?
An Indiana upset requires flawless execution defensively and offensively. Haliburton must minimize turnovers drastically. Pacers bench scoring needs to outmatch Cleveland’s depth. Indiana would need to win the boards battle decisively. Darius Garland’s defensive pressure must be neutralized. One upset doesn’t guarantee Pacers turnaround momentum either.
Reality shows Cleveland wins easily though statistically. Cavaliers possess every advantage entering Rocket Mortgage. The 13.5-point spread accurately reflects the talent gap. Can Indiana make this competitive early before Cleveland pulls away? That remains the only real intrigue here honestly.
Sources
- USA Today SBWire – Odds and injury updates
- CBS Sports – Predictions and betting analysis
- StatMuse – Historical records and statistics
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.