3 Best NBA Bets and Player Props for Pacers vs. Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Playoffs

The NBA playoffs are here, and even within a single game, betting markets are abundant.

You can bet traditional markets like the spread or the total, but we've also got tons of player-prop markets to sift through.

Which bets stand out today as the Indiana Pacers face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs?

Let's dig into the best bets in FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA betting odds, utilizing FanDuel Research's NBA projections to try to find value.

Note: All injury news comes from the NBA's official injury report.

Pacers at Cavaliers Game 1 Betting Picks

Over 229.0 Points (-112)
Over 112.0 Points in First Half (-110)

Though we won't exactly know the tempo gameplan for each team until the first matchup, the over seems like a friendly number as the Pacers and Cavs open their half of the East's semis.

In the regular season, Indiana (7th) and Cleveland (10th) were both top-10 teams in pace and dragged down by their first-round opponents. The Cavs' 92.5 average pace against the Miami Heat was no surprise given Miami's timeshare in the Association's bottom five for years, and the Pacers (97.5) still got up and down the floor a bit better against a Milwaukee Bucks squad trying to hide its Damian Lillard-less offense.

These teams averaged 228.8 points in the regular season across four meetings, which explains this total. However, a 201-point slobberknocker is a true outlier dragging that down as both teams failed to shoot 32.0% from three.

As both teams were bottom-six units at defending threes in the first round, I'll ladder the first-half and full-game overs. I'd hate to get bit by a lopsided score, which is wholly possible given Cleveland's absurd +33.5 net rating (NRTG) in the first round.

Pascal Siakam Over 28.5 Points, Rebounds, and Assists (-114)

This is a huge series for "Spicy P".

All season, the Cavs had a hard time defending the four spot. Cleveland allowed the 10th-most points (23.5), 5th-most rebounds (11.1), and 8th-most assists (4.7) per game to the position, which makes sense as they commit two centers to a dominant, imposing frontcourt. Athletic floor-runners like Pascal Siakam can give them trouble.

That he did in three meetings this year, missing these clubs' highest-scoring affair. Siakam averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in the contests he played, but that was averaging only 32.6 minutes. He might push 40 in this playoff setting.

Overall, we've got Siakam projected for 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in what actually is a friendly positional and pace matchup. He'll go a long way to determining whether this series is competitive or not.

You can also check out our latest 2025 NBA Playoffs printable bracket, which includes the seeding and matchups for each conference.

New to FanDuel Sportsbook? You’ll receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your first $5+ bet wins! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Interested in playing NBA daily fantasy? FanDuel has plenty of contest options to make every moment more. Be sure to check out the NBA betting options, as well.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.