Game Details
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana. This is the home arena for the Indiana Pacers, with a capacity of approximately 17,923. It’s known for its energetic crowd and has been the Pacers’ home since 1999, hosting numerous high-profile NBA games and events.
Recent Team Forms
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs have been middling lately, going 5-5 in their last 10 games with a 4-6 ATS record.
Their last five games reflect a mix of strong wins and close losses:
Jan 4, 2026: L 114-110 vs. Detroit Pistons (struggled defensively in the fourth quarter, allowing 32 points).
Jan 3, 2026: W 113-108 vs. Denver Nuggets (Donovan Mitchell’s 30 points led a comeback; held Nuggets under 50% FG).
Dec 31, 2025: W 129-113 vs. Phoenix Suns (hot shooting at 52% FG; Evan Mobley dominated with 22 points and 12 rebounds).
Dec 30, 2025: W 113-101 at San Antonio Spurs (balanced scoring from five players in double figures; +12 rebounding edge).
Dec 28, 2025: L 117-100 at Houston Rockets (poor 3-point defense allowed 15 threes; turned the ball over 18 times). Overall form: L-W-W-W-L, with a +2.4 point differential in the last five. They’ve excelled at home (13-9) but faltered on the road, where turnovers and bench production have been issues. Season stats: 119.2 PPG (9th), 116.8 PPA (16th), 45.0 RPG (9th).
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers are in freefall, going 0-10 in their last 10 games with a 4-6 ATS record.
They’ve lost 12 straight overall and six consecutive at home.
Their last five games:
Jan 4, 2026: L 135-127 at Orlando Magic (high-scoring but outrebounded 48-40; Pascal Siakam scored 34 but defense allowed 52% FG).
Jan 3, 2026: L 123-113 vs. San Antonio Spurs (poor perimeter defense; gave up 18 threes).
Dec 31, 2025: L 112-110 vs. Orlando Magic (close but late turnovers doomed them; shot just 44% FG).
Dec 30, 2025: L 126-119 at Houston Rockets (fast-paced game; allowed 58 points in the paint).
Dec 28, 2025: L 142-116 at Miami Heat (blown out; defense surrendered 142 points on 55% shooting). Overall form: L-L-L-L-L, with a -9.6 point differential in the last five. Injuries have decimated their lineup, leading to the league’s worst defense (119.7 PPA, 24th). Season stats: 110.6 PPG (28th), 119.7 PPA (24th), 42.8 RPG (24th).
Series History
The Cavaliers and Pacers have a storied Central Division rivalry, with Cleveland holding the edge in recent meetings. Head-to-head all-time record is not explicitly detailed in sources, but recent games favor the Cavs:
Dec 1, 2025: Cavaliers 135-119 Pacers (Cavs dominated with 52% FG; covered -4.5 spread, over 231 total).
Nov 21, 2025: Cavaliers 120-109 Pacers (Cavs won but failed to cover -13.5; under 241.5 total).
Jul 10, 2025: Pacers 116-115 Cavaliers (Summer League game; close Pacers win). Cleveland has won the last two regular-season meetings by double digits, outscoring Indiana by an average of 13.5 points. The Cavs are 2-1 ATS in these games. Historically, games feature high scoring (over hit in 2 of 3 recent), but Indiana’s injuries could change that dynamic. Cleveland leads the season series 2-0 heading into this matchup.
Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Jarrett Allen (C): Questionable (illness; missed recent games but could return).
Dean Wade (F): Questionable (left knee soreness; day-to-day).
Larry Nance Jr. (F): Questionable (right calf strain; limited practice).
Max Strus (G): Out (Jones fracture surgery on foot; expected return Jan 10).
Chris Livingston (F): Out (knee; two-way contract, estimated return Jan 7).
Sam Merrill (G): Questionable (ankle; monitor status).
Indiana Pacers:
Tyrese Haliburton (G): Out for season (torn right Achilles tendon; major loss for playmaking).
Obi Toppin (F): Out (right foot stress fracture; undergoing surgery, out at least three months until Feb 2).
Bennedict Mathurin (G): Out (right thumb sprain and toe injury; expected to miss extended time).
Isaiah Jackson (F): Questionable (concussion protocol; day-to-day).
The Pacers’ injuries severely hamper their offense and depth, while the Cavs could be near full strength if questionables play.
Key Player Matchups
This game pits Cleveland’s balanced attack against Indiana’s depleted roster. Expect a focus on interior play and perimeter defense, with the Cavs exploiting mismatches.
Donovan Mitchell (CLE, G) vs. Andrew Nembhard (IND, G): Mitchell (averaging 25+ PPG) is Cleveland’s explosive scorer and could feast on Indiana’s weak perimeter defense. Nembhard, a shifty defender, will try to contain him, but Mitchell’s speed and shooting (37% from three) give him the edge.
Evan Mobley (CLE, F) vs. Pascal Siakam (IND, F): Mobley, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, averages 18 PPG and 10 RPG with elite rim protection. Siakam (20+ PPG) is Indiana’s top scorer, but Mobley’s length could limit his drives and force tough shots.
Darius Garland (CLE, G) vs. T.J. McConnell (IND, G): With Haliburton out, McConnell steps up as facilitator (9 APG recently). Garland’s quickness and playmaking (20 PPG, 7 APG) could overwhelm him, especially in pick-and-rolls.
Jarrett Allen (CLE, C) vs. Myles Turner (IND, C): If Allen plays, his rebounding (12 RPG) matches Turner’s shot-blocking (2 BPG). This interior battle could decide paint control, with Allen’s mobility giving Cleveland an advantage.
Betting Trends
Cleveland Cavaliers: 12-25 ATS overall (6-9 ATS away).
They’ve gone 17-20 on over/under (9-6 O/U away). Trends: 4-9 ATS in last 13 games, 2-6 ATS in last 8 vs. Pacers, but 5-1 ATS in last 6 road games vs. Indiana; under in 4 of last 5 games.
As favorites, they’re 13-7 SU but 8-12 ATS.
Indiana Pacers: 17-19 ATS overall (10-9 ATS home).
15-21 on over/under (9-10 O/U home). Trends: 2-5 ATS in last 7 games, 1-5 ATS in last 6 home vs. Cavs, but 7-3 ATS vs. Central Division; over in 4 of last 6 games.
As underdogs, they’re 4-23 SU and 12-15 ATS.
Head-to-Head: Cavs 2-1 ATS in last three meetings; over hit in 2 of 3. NBA trends: Road favorites like Cavs are 55% ATS this season; games involving bottom-five teams like Pacers hit the under 58% when totals exceed 230.
Game Odds
Cleveland Cavaliers – 5.5
Indiana Pacers 236.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, January 5, 2026
