Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers Timeline: Head-to-Head History

Few NBA matchups have swung back and forth as often as Cleveland versus Indiana. Over 219 regular-season meetings, the margin between these teams amounts to just three wins — Pacers 111, Cavaliers 108. That razor-thin gap makes every head-to-head game feel like it could tip either way, which is exactly why fans keep circling these dates on the calendar. Whether you’re tracking playoff implications or just love a competitive rivalry, here’s everything we know about how this series has unfolded and where it stands right now.

All-time regular season games: 219 · Cavaliers wins: 108 · Pacers wins: 111 · Games since 2004: 112 (Pacers 57, Cavs 55) · Most recent result: Cavaliers 120-116 Pacers (Jan 6, 2026)

The table below consolidates the key series metrics from multiple NBA tracking sources.

Who is favored to win, Pacers or Cavaliers?

The short answer is that no clear favorite emerges from the overall record — the Pacers hold a 3-win lead across 219 meetings, which amounts to less than a 1.4% advantage. When you narrow the lens to recent performance, however, the picture becomes more nuanced.

Prediction odds

According to betting market data tracked by multiple sportsbooks, both teams have fluctuated between slight favorites depending on home court, injuries, and recent form. The most recent head-to-head result — Cleveland’s 120-116 win on January 6, 2026 — gave the Cavs a psychological edge heading into subsequent matchups. According to analysis from AiScore betting trends, the Pacers have covered the spread (ATS) in roughly 44% of head-to-head games historically, suggesting they’ve often been undervalued by oddsmakers.

Key factors

• Home court advantage has proven significant in recent seasons — the home team won 4 of the last 5 meetings at each arena
• Injury reports notably impacted results: when Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton both play at full strength, the Pacers have shown they can dominate
• Recent form matters: the Cavs won 3 of 5 in the most recent stretch, but the Pacers took two of three matchups in April 2025

What are the Cavs vs Pacers last 5 games?

The last five head-to-head meetings tell a story of momentum shifts and blowout potential in either direction. Here’s the breakdown of the most recent matchups.

Scores and dates

The following table shows the five most recent matchups with final scores and winners.

Trends

The Cavaliers won three straight games against the Pacers from November through January 2026, with an average margin of about 9 points per game. However, the Pacers had previously taken two consecutive games in April 2025 by a combined 10 points. This oscillating pattern — where one team wins back-to-back before the other responds — is characteristic of this rivalry and makes predicting the next outcome genuinely difficult. The pattern suggests bettors should weight recent form over historical data when evaluating matchups.

What is the full Cleveland Cavaliers vs Pacers timeline?

Spanning multiple decades, the Cavaliers-Pacers rivalry has seen several distinct eras. The overall record shows 219 regular season games with the Pacers holding a narrow 111-108 advantage, but breaking it down by period reveals shifting fortunes.

All-time head-to-head

From the Pacers’ franchise history through the 2025-26 season, the two teams have met 219 times in regular season play. The Pacers’ three-win edge translates to roughly 50.7% of all meetings, making this one of the closer series in NBA history between non-division rivals. The data from Land of Basketball full game log confirms this long-standing balance.

Recent season logs

Looking at the modern era since 2004, the teams have faced each other 112 times with the Pacers holding a 57-55 edge — a margin of just two games over 21 seasons. The average total in those games is approximately 103.1 points per team, reflecting the slower pace of earlier NBA basketball compared to today’s high-scoring environment.

The breakdown below shows how the series has shifted across different time periods.

Cavs vs Pacers last 10 games results

The most recent 10-game sample provides the clearest picture of where this rivalry stands heading into future matchups. Different tracking sources show slightly varying records, but the general trend remains consistent.

Game-by-game breakdown

The game log below reflects results from multiple NBA data providers including StatMuse and ESPN.

Win-loss streaks

Notably, the Pacers ended Cleveland’s 12-game winning streak on January 12, 2025, with a decisive 108-93 victory. According to ESPN game coverage, that win was highlighted by Andrew Nembhard’s 19 points and Pascal Siakam’s 18 points plus 9 rebounds. That single game demonstrated the Pacers’ ability to shut down Cleveland’s offense when playing their best basketball.

The Cavs responded with four consecutive wins over the Pacers from January 2025 through January 2026, suggesting strong resilience and adaptability. However, the Pacers had previously won three of four matchups from October 2023 through April 2024. The alternating streaks indicate bettors should monitor momentum shifts rather than assuming either team will maintain a winning pace. The alternating streaks indicate bettors should monitor momentum shifts rather than assuming either team will maintain a winning pace, much like how the historie loga Nike Swoosh has evolved over time.

Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers player stats and key games

Individual performances often determine the outcome in closely matched head-to-head series. Several players have established themselves as difference-makers when these teams meet.

Standout performances

• Andrew Nembhard — 19 points in the Pacers’ 108-93 win on Jan 12, 2025, one of his best performances of the season
• Pascal Siakam — 18 points and 9 rebounds in the same game, providing the frontcourt presence the Pacers needed
• Tyrese Haliburton — His playmaking ability has directly correlated with Pacers’ success in recent head-to-head matchups
• Donovan Mitchell — Multiple 30+ point games against the Pacers in the 2025-26 stretch

Game 3 highlights

The May 9, 2025 matchup marked a pivotal moment in the playoff race, with both teams fighting for positioning. The Cavs’ 135-119 win on December 1, 2025, saw the Pacers shoot just 41 of 85 from the field, highlighting how defensive intensity from Cleveland can neutralize Indiana’s offensive weapons. Full box score details are available through StatMuse game logs. The Cavs exploited Indiana’s defensive vulnerabilities in that matchup to build a commanding lead early.

“Pacers end NBA-leading Cavaliers’ winning streak at 12 with 108-93 victory.”

— ESPN Report, Game Summary

“Andrew Nembhard scored 19 points, Pascal Siakam had 18 points and nine rebounds.”

— ESPN, Game Recap

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