14-05-2025
Virtually no one picked Pacers to beat Cavs this series. We kept receipts. Revisiting predictions
The Cavaliers won 64 games in the regular season and then completed a historic first round sweep of the Heat, winning by a NBA-record +122.
They were heavy favorites to beat the Pacers next. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Virtually no one outside of Indiana picked the Pacers to win the Eastern Conference semifinals. We kept the receipts.
Of the 50 series predictions we found, 48 went with the Cavaliers. One writer declared, "It's impossible to pick against them." The two who did? They work for IndyStar: me and Kyle Neddenriep.
Now that the Pacers have eliminated the Cavs in five games and are headed back to the Eastern Conference finals for a second year in a row, it's time to revisit those predictions:
"Put me down as the one who expects the Cavaliers to win and win convincingly," Snellings wrote in his prediction.
"The Pacers are going to do everything in their power to not help off Cleveland's shooters, and they are capable of scoring big even against the Cavs' defense. But not four times. Not even three times," Botkin wrote. "... Cleveland moves on in easier fashion than I think most will predict."
"(The Cavs are) operating at such a high level on both sides of the ball right now that it's impossible to pick against them," Maloney wrote.
"I just think the Cavs are the better team. They will be challenged, without a doubt," Amico wrote. "They will also advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. They're just too good not to."
"Can you really envision this Pacers team beating the Cavs four times in a series? I can't see it," Tyler said.
The Cavaliers are -500 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Pacers are +375.
Pacers in 5: +2500
