Cavaliers Face Elimination in Game 5 Against Pacers

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers will attempt to stave off elimination in Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, May 13, 2025.

Indiana comes into this matchup with a commanding 3-1 series lead after their 129-109 victory in Game 4. Seven different Pacers players scored in double figures during that game, showcasing the team’s depth.

The Pacers, who finished the regular season with a record of 50-32, have now won six of their eight meetings with Cleveland this season. They hold a road record of 23-21 this year and are looking to close out the series in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers, having achieved a stellar 64-18 record in the regular season, are strong at home with a 36-9 record. They have previously won two of three playoff series against Indiana. However, they may face a setback as shooting guard Donovan Mitchell is a game-time decision due to an ankle injury sustained in Game 4.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at Rocket Arena. Cleveland holds a slight edge in playoff series history, leading 10-9 against Indiana.

The latest odds from Crawford Sports show the Cavaliers as 7.5-point favorites, with the total points over/under set at 231.5. The money line stands at Cavaliers -322 and Pacers +257.

Mitchell, despite his injury, has been a key player in the series. In Game 4, he played just over 20 minutes and struggled due to the injury but previously contributed with 48 points and nine assists in Game 2 and 43 points in Game 3.

In the event that Mitchell cannot play, power forward Evan Mobley is expected to take on a larger scoring role. Mobley averaged 18.5 points this season and is the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

The Pacers have their own standout in power forward Pascal Siakam, who helped push the Cavaliers to the brink of elimination with a superb Game 4 performance, scoring 21 points and gathering six rebounds in just 21 minutes.

Additionally, center Myles Turner has shown significant impact for Indiana, averaging 17.2 points and leading the playoffs with 21 blocks. In Game 4, he scored 20 points, contributing to the team’s offensive surge.

SportsLine‘s simulation model for this game has favored the under, projecting a total of 226 combined points. Betting interests are high as fans look to see if one side of the spread will outperform.

With all eyes on Cleveland, the question remains: Can the Cavaliers overcome the odds and extend the series, or will the Pacers advance to the next round?