The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night when they visit the struggling Indiana Pacers in a crucial Central Division matchup. This comes after the Cavaliers suffered a disappointing 114-110 loss to the conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Sunday, snapping their three-game winning streak.
Team Form and Season Standings
The Cavaliers currently hold a 20-17 record for the season and have won three of their last four outings. Their road form shows 7 wins against 8 losses. In contrast, the Indiana Pacers are enduring a nightmare season, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a dismal 6-30 overall record. They are on a damaging 12-game losing streak, having most recently fallen 135-127 to the Orlando Magic on Saturday. Their home record is a poor 5-14.
Key Absences and Injury Report
Both teams will be missing star power for this encounter. The Cavaliers will rest their key guard Donovan Mitchell. They also have several other players on the injury list: Jarrett Allen (Illness) and Dean Wade (Knee) are questionable, while Larry Nance Jr. (Calf), Max Strus (Foot), Chris Livingston, and Luke Travers (both G League) are out.
The Pacers' injury woes are even more severe. They will be without Tyrese Haliburton (Calf), Bennedict Mathurin (Thumb), and Obi Toppin (Foot). Additionally, Isaiah Jackson is ruled out due to a concussion protocol.
When, Where, and How to Watch
The game is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. local time. For television viewers in Cleveland, the broadcast will be available on the Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN). The match will also be aired statewide on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. Online users can stream the action live via Fubo and Prime Video platforms.
Expected Lineups and Game Prediction
With Mitchell out, the Cavaliers are expected to start Darius Garland and Sam Merrill in the backcourt, with Jaylon Tyson, De’Andre Hunter, and Evan Mobley rounding out the lineup. The depleted Pacers will likely counter with Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, Pascal Siakam, and Micah Potter.
Despite missing their leading scorer, the Cavaliers enter the game as clear road favorites. The Pacers, a shadow of the team that reached the NBA Finals less than a year ago, have been decimated by injuries and poor form. While divisional games can often be unpredictable, Cleveland's superior roster depth and recent form make them the strong pick to end their brief skid and extend Indiana's misery. Expect a competitive but ultimately controlled performance from the visiting Cavaliers.
