The Cleveland Cavaliers (20-17) and Indiana Pacers (6-30) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will be broadcast live on FDSIN.
The Cavaliers are 6.5-point favorites over the Pacers on the spread (Cavaliers -6.5), with the over/under set at 233.5 total points. Cleveland is a 59-cent favorite to win outright, while Indiana is priced at 43 cents to pull off the upset on Fanatics Markets.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Pacers predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, January 6.
Cavaliers vs Pacers Prediction, Picks
- Cavaliers vs Pacers pick: Under 233.5
My Pacers vs Cavaliers best bet is on the under total points, with the best price currently available at Fanatics Markets. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Pacers Odds for Tuesday, Jan. 6
(If you're unfamiliar with Fanatics Markets, read more here.)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers NBA Preview
The Indiana Pacers return home to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday night to host the Cleveland Cavaliers in an Eastern Conference matchup that also serves as a rematch from last season’s playoff run. Although both teams are far from the brilliance they showed last season.
Indiana enters this game in the midst of a nightmare stretch, having dropped 12 straight games to tie the longest losing streak in franchise history.
Their last victory came back on Dec. 8 against Sacramento, and the pressure continues to mount as Rick Carlisle still searches for the 1,000th win of his coaching career.
Despite the losing streak, Indiana showed some offensive life in its most recent outing, a 135-127 loss to the Magic. Pascal Siakam poured in 34 points, while Aaron Nesmith added 25 points and eight assists and Andrew Nembhard chipped in with 20 points and 11 assists.
The Pacers shot an impressive 55.2% from the field in that game after entering the night with the worst field-goal percentage in the NBA.
Injuries continue to be a major storyline for Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton remains out with a torn Achilles, Bennedict Mathurin has missed extended time with a thumb injury, and Obi Toppin and Isaiah Jackson are also sidelined.
With so many rotation pieces unavailable, the Pacers are relying heavily on Siakam and Nembhard to carry the offense, often at the expense of pace control and defensive consistency.
Cleveland comes in with a more stable recent form, having won three of its last four games, although the lone loss in that stretch came in a 114-110 defeat to the Pistons.
Donovan Mitchell led the way with 30 points in that game, but the Cavaliers’ offense stalled at times, particularly from the perimeter, as Darius Garland went 0-for-7 from beyond the arc.
After a 64-win season a year ago, Cleveland has been inconsistent this season and currently sits eighth in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers will look very different on Tuesday, however. Mitchell will sit out for rest, removing nearly 30 points per game from the lineup.
Cleveland is also dealing with multiple injuries, with Max Strus and Larry Nance Jr. out and Jarrett Allen questionable.
Without Mitchell, the Cavs are more likely to lean into half-court offense through Garland and Evan Mobley, while emphasizing defense and rebounding rather than pace.
Cavaliers vs Pacers Betting Predictions, Analysis
This matchup sets up well for a play on the Under at 236.5 points, especially when viewed through the lens of our Reverse Line Movement Unders system.
This system looks for value in division games where the total drops despite the majority of public bets leaning toward the Over, a signal that sharp money is backing the Under.
Familiarity within the division often leads to more physical play, better defensive adjustments, and fewer easy scoring opportunities.
That dynamic is particularly relevant here. Indiana’s recent box scores may tempt bettors toward the Over, but the Pacers are missing key offensive pieces and may struggle to sustain efficiency over four quarters.
On the other side, Cleveland playing without Donovan Mitchell is a significant downgrade in offensive firepower and typically results in a slower, more methodical style.
With both teams short-handed and the market showing reverse movement toward a lower total, the Under is the sharper side.
Cavaliers vs Pacers Best Bet
- Under 233.5
Pacers vs Cavaliers Betting Trends
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