This game has significant playoff-seeding implications, as these teams are a game apart in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pacers currently hold the tie-breaker with the Cavaliers, so a win on Friday could allow them to move up to the fourth or fifth seed. Winners of three straight, Indiana isn't going down without a fight on the road Friday evening.

The Pacers held their own against this stingy Cavaliers defense in their previous victories, pouring in 125 and 121 points. That said, those games were during the first few weeks of the season, so a lot has changed since then. While still a scoring machine, Indiana's offensive identity has changed since it acquired Pascal Siakam, as it's gone from one of the most high-frequency three-point shooting teams to one of the least frequent. Considering that Cleveland's defense is suffocating around the basket (7th in opponent rim FG%) and in the mid-range (4th in opponent mid-range FG%), Indiana will have to work hard to score in this game.

With the Magic and Pacers right behind them, the Cavaliers will show up to play on Friday to avoid slipping in the standings. The Cavaliers' guards will attack Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers' soft perimeter defense all night, but the home team will also dominate at the rim. Indiana allows the most rim field goal attempts in the league, which isn't a great strategy against Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

Bet on Cleveland to win and cover at 4.5 or better!