Cavs Face Pacers Amid Injury Challenges in NBA Cup Matchup

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Indiana Pacers on Friday at 7 p.m. ET in a critical NBA Cup contest. Both teams are vying for a stronger position in East Group A, with the Cavaliers currently holding a 1-1 record in group play, while the Pacers sit at 0-1.

Cleveland boasts an overall record of 10-6, while Indiana struggles at 2-13 due to multiple injuries to key players. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are both listed as questionable for the Cavaliers, while Tyrese Haliburton is sidelined for the season after an Achilles injury, alongside Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin who are also missing from the Pacers’ lineup.

This match is particularly significant as it serves as a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals, where Indiana edged out Cleveland 4-1. In this upcoming game, the Cavaliers are favored by 13.5 points, with an over/under set at 239.5 points.

In recent action, the Pacers snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 127-118 victory, providing some momentum as they face a Cavaliers team that has struggled to cover the spread in recent games. On the other hand, Cleveland is keen to prove its resilience against a team that has historically caused them problems.

The Cavaliers have seen 60% of their simulations return an expected total of 233 combined points, indicating the potential for a lower-scoring affair as both teams deal with injury impacts. As the game approaches, fans can anticipate a clash that not only carries playoff memories but also the necessity for each team to assert their identity amidst adversity.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET in Cleveland, and the matchup will be available to stream on Prime Video.