Still, Cleveland should be considered the favorite to win this best-of-seven matchup, and that's exactly what one NBA expert is forecasting to happen. Steve Aschburner of NBA.com recently published his preview and prediction for the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and believes the Cavaliers will ultimily win this series in six games.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers face off in the second round. Game 1 is Sunday, May 4. Here are three keys for the series.

The top-seeded Cavaliers dominated the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs by sweeping the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. After the Cleveland-Miami series ended April 28, the No. 4 Indiana Pacers won their Round 1 series against the No.