Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats: Box Scores

The Pacers and Cavaliers have delivered some of the most unpredictable NBA matchups this season. Donovan Mitchell dropped 43 points to seal a Cavs win one night; the next, Indiana pulled off a 20-point rout in Cleveland. Recent head-to-heads show Cleveland winning 4 of 5, but the Pacers have pulled enough upsets to keep bettors and fans on their toes.

Latest Score: Cavaliers 135-119 Pacers (Dec 1, 2025) · Top Scorer: Donovan Mitchell 43 points · May 6 Game: Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers box score · April 5 Score: Cavaliers 117-108 Pacers · Field Goals Cavs: 43-92 (46.7%)

The key facts table below summarizes the most significant stats from recent matchups, with Cavs dominating the shooting efficiency metrics.

Who is favored to win, Pacers or Cavaliers?

The head-to-head record shows these teams are remarkably evenly matched over the long haul, but recent form tilts toward Cleveland. The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 games against the Pacers, averaging 124.4 points per game to Indiana’s 119.2. StatMuse data confirms the Cavs are scoring 118.4 points per game against the Pacers specifically, ranking 5th in the league in that matchup scenario.

Prediction odds

Betting lines have generally favored the Cavaliers in most recent encounters, with spreads typically landing between 3 and 7 points depending on venue and matchup conditions. TeamRankings data shows the Pacers covered a +13.5 spread in the November 21, 2025 matchup, indicating underdog value at times.

Key factors

Three factors consistently determine the outcome: Donovan Mitchell’s scoring output (43 points on December 1st), whether the Pacers can establish paint presence through their bench contributors like Quenton Jackson, and three-point shooting percentage. When the Cavs connect at 35.8% from deep or better, they’ve won 8 of their last 10 H2H matchups.

Why is LeBron out vs Pacers?

Reports from NBA insider sources have indicated that LeBron James—now playing for the Los Angeles Lakers—has sat out Pacers matchups in previous seasons due to load management protocols and injury recovery schedules. The Lakers star’s elbow injury earlier this season prompted rest decisions against Eastern Conference opponents where playoff seeding wasn’t at stake.

Injury details

When LeBron has missed Pacers games, official team injury reports cited elbow injuries, ankle maintenance, or general rest protocols. The specific decision typically comes 2-3 hours before tip-off based on morning shootaround assessments.

Impact on game

Without LeBron, the Lakers’ offensive efficiency drops significantly against the Pacers’ pace-and-space approach. However, Pacers players and coaches have noted that facing LeBron-less lineups requires different preparation—less focus on defensive schemes against a primary option and more on neutralizing whoever steps into larger scoring roles.

Why did the Cleveland Cavaliers get fined $100,000?

The NBA penalized the Cleveland Cavaliers $100,000 for violating the league’s Player Participation Policy, which requires teams to provide authentic opportunities for players to compete in games and demonstrate their skills. League officials determined the team had restricted playing time for healthy rotation players in ways that didn’t meet competitive standards.

Violation details

The policy violation centered on several instances where the Cavs shortened their rotation in games against teams the Cavaliers were heavily favored to beat. League investigators reviewed game film, rotation charts, and player availability reports before issuing the fine.

Player participation policy

The NBA’s Player Participation Policy, strengthened in recent collective bargaining agreements, aims to protect fans and betting markets from teams deliberately limiting competitive effort. Violations carry escalating penalties, with fines ranging from $25,000 for first offenses up to $1 million for serial violators. The Cavaliers’ fine signals the league’s willingness to enforce competitive integrity standards.

Did Haliburton get hurt in Game 7?

According to multiple NBA reports, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton exited Game 7 of the NBA Finals with a right leg injury that required immediate medical attention on the sideline. The injury occurred during a pivotal third-quarter sequence when Haliburton drove to the basket and landed awkwardly after contact.

Injury status

Haliburton’s right leg injury in Game 7 prompted on-court treatment before he was helped to the locker room. Team medical staff conducted initial evaluations during the game, with follow-up imaging scheduled for the following morning to determine the extent of any structural damage.

Game impact

Without Haliburton for the final minutes, the Pacers’ offense lost its primary playmaking engine. His absence shifted ball-handling duties to backup guards, who couldn’t replicate his court vision or three-point shooting. The Pacers struggled to generate quality looks in the clutch, contributing to the final margin.

Why did Bennedict Mathurin get ejected?

Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin was ejected from a game against the Cavaliers following a temper flare-up that resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Game officials assessed technical fouls after Mathurin confronted a referee about a late-game call that went against the Pacers’ favor.

Incident details

The ejection stemmed from a sequence where Mathurin disagreed with a blocking foul call that negated a potential go-ahead basket. After the whistle, Mathurin continued arguing with game officials, prompting the technical fouls that led to automatic ejection under NBA rules.

Temper flare-up

The incident reflects the emotional intensity that develops in rivalry games between teams with playoff implications. Mathurin, known for his competitive fire, struggled to contain frustration that built over several controversial calls. Team officials noted the ejection in post-game comments, indicating internal discipline measures for the young forward.

Head-to-Head Game Comparison

Six recent matchups reveal clear patterns in how each team attacks the other, with Cavs winning 4 of the 6 games tracked.

The implication: the Cavs’ recent dominance in 2025-2026 contrasts sharply with their 2025 playoff struggles, suggesting momentum shifts significantly based on Mitchell’s health and scoring load.

Player Performance Breakdown

Individual matchup data highlights which players perform best against each opponent, with Mitchell and Jackson standing out as key difference-makers.

What this means: Mitchell’s scoring consistently determines Cavs success, while Jackson’s contributions as a role player signal when the Pacers can pull upsets. When Jackson exceeds 20 points, the Pacers are 2-1 in recent matchups.

Recent Timeline of Matchups

The chronological sequence below tracks how the rivalry has evolved through 2025 and into 2026.

The pattern: the Cavs have won every matchup in 2025-2026, while the Pacers’ key victories came during the 2025 playoff run. The April 2026 matchup on the schedule will be worth monitoring for both teams’ playoff positioning.

What’s Confirmed vs What’s Rumor

Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 135-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

— Associated Press recap via ESPN game recap

Pacers build 41-point halftime lead and rout Cavaliers 129-109 for a 3-1 series lead.

— ESPN Staff Report, ESPN game analysis

Quenton Jackson contributed a team-high 21 points to go with 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists.

— NBA Highlights via YouTube game footage

The head-to-head series has tightened considerably over the past two seasons, with the Pacers holding a slim all-time advantage (111 wins to 108) despite Cleveland’s recent dominance in the last five matchups. The statistical picture suggests these games will remain unpredictable—the Cavs have the star power in Mitchell, while the Pacers have shown they can win ugly when their role players step up. The April 2026 matchup on the schedule will be worth monitoring for both teams’ playoff positioning.

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Beyond the 135-119 Cavs triumph with Mitchell’s 43 points, the detailed Cavaliers vs Pacers stats capture another rally in their 120-116 win.

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