The Cleveland Cavaliers (12-9), desperate to halt a frustrating three-game skid amid mounting injury concerns and back-to-back fatigue, travel to face the injury-plagued Indiana Pacers (4-16) on Monday night. This Eastern Conference clash at Gainbridge Fieldhouse contrasts Cleveland’s potent offense—led by Donovan Mitchell’s scoring prowess—with Indiana’s desperate bid for consistency post their Finals heartbreak. The Pacers, reeling from Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending Achilles tear in the 2025 Finals, have scraped together back-to-back wins but remain the East’s basement dwellers. For the Cavs, a win here could reignite their playoff push; for Indiana, it’s a chance to build momentum against a familiar foe they dominated in last season’s playoffs. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. ET, airing on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (FDSIN) and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (FDSOH).
Venue Location
Arena: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Address: 125 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Capacity: 17,923 for basketball
Notable Features: Opened in 1999 and rebranded in 2021, the arena is a hub for Pacers’ high-energy crowds, especially during rare home stands like this one. Its central downtown location offers easy access via the Indiana Avenue garage, but expect heavy traffic post-game. The venue’s LED court inserts and premium lounges enhance the fan experience, though Indiana’s 2-8 home record this season has tempered the usual roar.
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Duration: Standard NBA game (48 minutes), plus potential overtime; typically 2.5 hours including halftime and media timeouts.
Injury Report
Injuries have ravaged both squads, but Indiana’s backcourt decimation is more acute, forcing reliance on unproven depth. Cleveland’s issues compound their recent slide, with five players questionable or out. Latest updates as of game day (monitor NBA.com for changes):
Cleveland Cavaliers:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
| Darius Garland | PG | Toe sprain | Questionable | Game-time decision |
| Jarrett Allen | C | Right middle finger strain | Out | At least one week (mid-December) |
| De’Andre Hunter | SF | Hamstring strain | Out | Re-evaluation in 1-2 weeks |
| Max Strus | SG | Knee soreness | Questionable | Probable if cleared |
| Dean Wade | PF | Ankle tweak | Questionable | Game-time decision |
Impact: Garland’s potential absence (18.5 PPG, 6.8 APG) shifts playmaking to Mitchell, while Allen’s exit (14.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG) weakens rim protection (CLE ranks 14th in opponent paint points at 48.2). Hunter’s scoring punch is missed on the wing, forcing Evan Mobley into more perimeter duties.
Indiana Pacers:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
| Tyrese Haliburton | PG | Right Achilles tear (from 2025 Finals) | Out | Entire 2025-26 season |
| Aaron Nesmith | SF | Left knee injury | Out | At least one month (January) |
| Obi Toppin | PF | Right foot stress fracture | Out | At least three months (March) |
| Johnny Furphy | SG | Left ankle sprain | Out | Re-evaluation in two weeks |
| Isaiah Jackson | C | Achilles tear | Out | Indefinite (season uncertain) |
| James Wiseman | C | Achilles tear | Out | Indefinite |
Impact: Haliburton’s absence (pre-injury: 20.1 PPG, 10.9 APG) has gutted Indiana’s offense (30th in 3PT%, 42.4% FG), pushing Andrew Nembhard into the lead role (14.2 PPG, 5.5 APG). Frontcourt depth is nonexistent, with Pacers ranking 10th in rebounds (45.3 RPG) but last in offensive rebounding (9.8).
Player Matchups
Fatigue from Cleveland’s back-to-back and Indiana’s injuries set up a battle of attrition, with the Cavs’ stars facing overmatched but gritty defenders. Key positional duels:
PG: Darius Garland (CLE, if active) vs. Andrew Nembhard (IND)
Garland (6’4″, 18.5 PPG, 6.8 APG) exploits mismatches with pull-up jumpers, but Nembhard (6’5″, 1.8 SPG) is a pesky on-ball defender who held opponents to 42% FG in November. If Garland sits, Ty Jerome steps in (11.2 PPG). Edge: Cavaliers (if Garland plays).
SG: Donovan Mitchell (CLE) vs. Bennedict Mathurin (IND)
Mitchell (6’3″, 29.9 PPG, 5th in NBA scoring) is a scoring machine (42 PTS last game), torching Indiana for 35 in their last full matchup. Mathurin (6’6″, 19.2 PPG) provides length but struggles containing elite guards (opponents 28.4 PPG vs. IND SGs). Edge: Cavaliers.
SF: De’Andre Hunter (CLE, out) vs. Pascal Siakam (IND)
Without Hunter, Evan Mobley slides over (see below). Siakam (6’8″, 23.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG) is Indiana’s alpha, averaging 24+ in wins, but Cleveland’s switchable wings limit forwards to 18.9 PPG. Edge: Even (Siakam’s volume vs. CLE’s versatility).
PF: Evan Mobley (CLE) vs. Pascal Siakam (IND)
Mobley (6’11”, 18.3 PPG last 7, 9.2 RPG, DPOY candidate) vs. Siakam in a versatile forward clash. Mobley’s blocks (2.0 BPG last 7) disrupt Siakam’s mid-range game, while Indiana ranks 3rd in opponent 3PT% allowed. Edge: Cavaliers.
C: Jarrett Allen (CLE, out) vs. Myles Turner (IND)
Without Allen, Mobley or Wade handles center duties against Turner (6’11”, 15.8 PPG, 1.9 BPG). Turner’s spacing (36.7% 3PT) tests CLE’s drop coverage, but Pacers allow 48.2 paint points (24th). Edge: Pacers (Turner’s range).
Bench Impact: Cleveland’s depth (Mitchell’s 6+ APG) outshines Indiana’s (T.J. McConnell’s 8 APG in limited minutes), but Pacers’ home energy could fuel runs.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away | Conference | Streak |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 12-9 (.571) | 5-5 away | 7-6 East | L3 |
| Indiana Pacers | 4-16 (.200) | 2-8 home | 3-11 East | W2 |
Cavaliers: 7th in East; +3.2 point differential. Strong offense (118.8 PPG, 12th) but middling defense (115.6 allowed, 14th).
Pacers: 14th in East; -8.8 point differential. Bottom-5 in efficiency on both ends.
Recent Team Forms
Cleveland Cavaliers:
The Cavs started hot (9-5 through mid-November) with Mitchell’s heroics, including a 120-109 home win over Indiana on Nov. 21 (Mitchell 32 PTS). But a three-game slide—narrow losses to Boston (114-112 on Nov. 30), Atlanta (130-123 on Nov. 28), and Houston (114-104 on Nov. 19)—exposed backcourt overlap and rebounding woes (43.7 RPG, 18th). Offense hums at 118.8 PPG (12th), with Mitchell’s 29.9 PPG fueling top-10 3PT% (37.2%), but defense slips on the road (118.4 allowed). Pace: 8th-fastest (100.2 possessions). Back-to-back fatigue looms.
Indiana Pacers):
Post-Finals fallout has been brutal for Indiana, with Haliburton’s injury sparking a 1-9 skid through late November, including a 122-117 loss to Detroit on Nov. 25. Recent sparks: 119-86 rout of Washington (Nov. 28, Siakam 24/11) and 103-101 thriller over Chicago (Nov. 30, Siakam game-winner). Still, they’re 30th in FG% (42.4%) and 23rd in 3PT makes (11.8), averaging 109.8 PPG (28th). Defense shows flashes (3rd in opponent 3PT%, 32.1%), but rebounding battles lost (-2.4 margin). Pace: 15th (99.8 possessions), but home games hit Over 70% of the time.
Series History
This rivalry, dating to 1970, sees Indiana with a slight historical edge, amplified by their 2025 playoff upset (4-1 over CLE in ECF Semis). All-Time Regular Season: Pacers lead 111-104 (51.6% win rate over 215 games).
Playoffs: Pacers lead series 3-2 (15 games total; most recent: IND 4-1 over CLE in 2025 ECF Semis).
Last 10 Meetings: Pacers 7-3, including Nov. 21, 2025 (CLE 120-109; Mitchell 32 PTS) and three IND wins in 2024-25 regular season (avg. margin +4.2). Average score: 116.2-114.1 (high-scoring; Over in 6/10).
In Indianapolis: Pacers 5-2 since 2020. Trends: 70% of last 10 exceed 220 points; IND 4-1 ATS as home dogs.
Betting Trends:
Key Trends:
Cavaliers: 10-4 as -220 or shorter favorites; 4-6 ATS on road/back-to-backs. Over in 7/10 last games (avg. 235 points).
Pacers: 3-14 as underdogs; 7-3 ATS at home (but 1-9 SU). Under in 6/10, but Over in last 3 home games.
Head-to-Head: Pacers 7-3 SU last 10, but CLE covered in 6/10; Over 60% of meetings.
Game Odds
Cleveland Cavaliers – 6.5
Indiana Pacers 234.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, November 30, 2025
