The Indiana Pacers start their Eastern Conference semifinals series on the road when they meet the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena tonight, May 4.
The Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in the first round, finishing the series Tuesday with a wild 119-118 overtime victory. Indiana depended on its starting lineup more in the series than during the regular season, with all five averaging at least 14.8 points. Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell added punch off the bench.
The Cavaliers demolished the Miami Heat in 4 games, winning by an average of more than 30 points, capped by a 55-point victory. Their lineup includes NBA All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who also earned the NBA Most Improved Player award.
Dustin Dopirak has the best Pacers coverage. Keep up with IndyStar’s Pacers newsletter.
Pacers vs. Cavaliers expert predictions, picks for today, May 4
Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Cavaliers 122-116
“The Pacers have a real chance in this series and might be one of the few teams with the depth that can match the Cavs. They have defensive answers for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and they have players off the bench who can deal with Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter. And they obviously have plenty of firepower.
“Still, the Cavs are having their best season that didn’t include LeBron James. They’re coming into the East semis with a head of steam and with homecourt advantage, so they will look to set the tone force the Pacers to play catch-up. Indiana’s full-court pressure might wear on the Cavs, but Cleveland knows it’s coming and will have counters, especially with their crowd behind them.”
“The Cavs are going to get the benefit of the doubt at home given they’ve been the better team this season and they have the rest advantage. The Cavs are also 51-34-1 ATS on the season. However, the Cavs could be down Garland for this game. Also, the Pacers are scoring at such a high clip that it’s hard to turn down free points with them. The Pacers have been one of the best teams in the league since January and if the play from that Bucks series carries over, this series will be closer than people think. The Pacers have the depth and the scoring to give any team fits. Also, the Pacers have won three of the last four games against the Cavs. I believe this series will be closer than the odds indicate as the Pacers are better than oddsmakers are suggesting. Give me the points.”
Pacers-Cavs injury report tonight
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) is out.
Cavaliers: Darius Garland (toe) is questionable.
Cavaliers vs Pacers playoff schedule; when do the Pacers and Cavs play today, May 4?
(All times ET; *-if necessary)
Game 1, Sun., May 4: at Cavaliers, 6 p.m., TNT/TruTV/Max
Game 2, Tues., May 6: at Cavaliers, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3, Fri., May 9: at Pacers, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4, Sun., May 11: at Pacers, 8 p.m., TNT
*-Game 5, Tues., May 13: at Cavaliers, TBA
*-Game 6, Thurs., May 15: at Pacers, TBA
*-Game 7, Sun., May 18: at Cavaliers, TBA
What channel is the Pacers game on today, May 4? How can I watch Pacers-Bucks in NBA playoffs?
TV: TNT, TruTV, Max. No games in this series are on FanDuel Sports Network.
How can I stream, listen to the Pacers today, May 4?
93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analysis) and Pat Boylan (sideline reporting). Game 1 streaming is on SiriusXM channels 86 (Cavaliers feed), 212.
Are the Pacers favored over the Cavs today, May 4? Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers betting odds
via BetMGM
Game 1 favorite: Cavaliers by 8.5 points
Over/under: 229.5 total points
Moneyline: Pacers +260, Cavs -325
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Cavaliers a 71.5% chance of winning.
Can I get tickets to the Cavaliers game today, May 4?
Game 1 Pacers tickets start at $66 on StubHub.
Look for Cavs tickets on StubHub
Pacers probable starting lineup today, May 4
(with first-round averages)
- Pascal Siakam (19.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 44.4% 3-pointers)
- Tyrese Haliburton (17.6 points, 11.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 26.8% 3-pointers)
- Myles Turner (16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocked shots, 37.5% 3-pointers)
- Aaron Nesmith (14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 51.9% 3-pointers)
- Andrew Nembhard (15.0 points, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 50.0% 3-pointers)
Pacers key bench players
Cavaliers probable starting lineup today, May 4
- Donovan Mitchell (23.8 points, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 45.7% 3-pointers)
- Darius Garland (24.0 points, 7.0 assists, 41.2% 3-pointers)
- Evan Mobley (16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 47.1% 3-pointers)
- Jarrett Allen (14.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals)
- Max Strus (11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 46.2% 3-pointers)
