The Eastern Conference semifinals series between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers has been a surprise, with the Pacers currently leading 3-1. After taking a 2-1 lead, the Pacers dominated Game 4, tying an NBA playoff record by building a 41-point halftime lead, ultimately winning 129-109. Indiana shot 60% in the first half and made 12 of 18 three-pointers, while the Cavaliers struggled with just 25% shooting in the first and committing 22 turnovers for the game. The Cavs were further hurt by Donovan Mitchell’s ankle injury, which sidelined him for the second half. The Cavs now face elimination as the series shifts back to Cleveland for Game 5. We are going to take a look at the last few games and reveal the top Cavs vs Pacers prop bets for Game 5.
The Top Cavs vs Pacers Prop Bets for Game 5
*All Cavaliers-Pacers Game 5 odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Tuesday afternoon
Tyrese Haliburton: Under 8.5 assists (-108)
Tyrese Haliburton is usually an assist machine. He averaged 9.2 assists on the season and had double-digit assists in all but one game of the Pacers’ first-round series against the Bucks. In Game 1 against the Cavaliers, Haliburton continued his hot assist numbers by putting up 13 assists in the Pacers’ win.
Since then, however, Haliburton’s assist numbers have fallen. He has five or fewer assists in the Pacers’ last three games. The Cavaliers have been doing well at taking Haliburton’s offense away. We think this trend will continue in Game 5.
De’Andre Hunter: Under 15.5 points/rebounds/assists (-125)
De’Andre Hunter’s points/rebounds/assists line is too high. This is why we like betting the under on his combined stats as one of our best Cavs vs Pacers prop bets for Game 5. Hunter has been struggling with an injury since Game 2 of the series. He hasn’t fully looked like himself since returning.
In the Heat series, Hunter only eclipsed this line twice. So far in this series, he has only done it in Game 1. This was before he got injured. Since he came back from injury, Hunter has combined for 13 and nine points/rebounds/assists in the last two games. Hunter has also seen significantly less playing time since returning, showing that he may still be struggling with his previous injury. If Hunter continues to see fewer minutes, he will have a hard time reaching this points/rebounds/assists line.
Donovan Mitchell: Under 9.5 rebounds/assists (-115)
Mitchell is currently listed as questionable to play in Game 5. However, we are expecting him to play. The Cavaliers are going to need Mitchell, and even if he is hobbled, Mitchell has shown that he not only can play through injury, as he has all series, but can thrive under the spotlight of the playoffs.
Still, we don’t expect Mitchell to be able to contribute in his normal fashion on Tuesday night. Even when healthy, Mitchell has only combined for 10 or more rebounds/assists three times these playoffs. Mitchell has been looking to score first. We can see him being less active on the glass because of his injury. Maybe Mitchell will still pull out some Game 5 heroics, but we don’t expect him to put up big rebounding or assists numbers.
Featured image: © Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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