Cavs Face Crucial Showdown with Pacers Amid Playoff Positioning Battle

With playoff seeding at stake, the Cavaliers and Pacers prepare for a pivotal matchup that could determine their postseason fates.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, are set to clash with the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers in a game with significant playoff implications.
A victory for the Cavs could help them secure a more favorable first-round matchup and avoid facing the New York Knicks, who ousted them in last year's playoffs.
The Pacers, tied with the Orlando Magic for the sixth seed, aim to clinch a playoff spot without the need for a play-in tournament.
Cleveland's recent struggles have made them a less intimidating opponent, with their defense ranking among the worst of playoff teams since the All-Star break.
The matchup also offers the Pacers a chance to gain a psychological edge before potentially facing the Cavs in the first round of the playoffs.