Cleveland-cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions April 13th 2025

Cavaliers, Pacers Rest Stars in Regular-Season Finale

With playoff seeds locked in, Sunday’s matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers serves more as a dress rehearsal—or rest stop—before the postseason grind begins.

The Cavaliers (64-17), owners of the best record in the Eastern Conference, have clinched homecourt through the first three rounds and will face the No. 8 seed from the East play-in tournament. Indiana (49-32), meanwhile, is set to meet the Milwaukee Bucks in a 4-vs.-5 first-round series.

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Expect to see minimal star power on the court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

“There might be some guys that want to play to keep their rhythm,”

– Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson on resting key players.

All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley will sit this one out, while Jarrett Allen will suit up in his 82nd game of the season. Allen is poised to lead the NBA in field-goal percentage (.707), a goal he’s pursued with pride.

“Playing 82 games, that’s been a goal. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,”

– Allen on his ironman accomplishment.

Garland led Cleveland to a comeback win over New York on Friday with 26 points, while Mitchell, sidelined since April 6 with a minor ankle issue, is expected to be ready for the playoffs.

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The Pacers will also keep their starters—Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner—on the bench. That’s how they approached Friday’s 129-115 loss to the Magic, giving their young core a chance to shine.

Rookie Johnny Furphy had a breakout performance with 17 points, including a highlight-reel dunk, while Bennedict Mathurin added 20 points and 8 rebounds. Jarace Walker and the Pacers’ two-way players filled out a scrappy effort that may continue into Sunday.

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“You’re kind of on your own and you learn how important the high-level players are,”

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– Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on the young squad’s experience.

Both teams will shift focus to their respective playoff paths next week, but for fans and bettors, Sunday offers one final look at the depth pieces who might make postseason impacts.