Former NBA Player Makes Bold Prediction About Cavs-Pacers Series

This is the moment all Cleveland Cavaliers fans have been waiting for.

Kenny Atkinson’s team cruised past most of their opposition this season.

However, some people still believe they will crumble under pressure once they have to deal with the physicality of the playoffs.

So far, so good for them.

They’ve won four of four games.

Even so, they will now face a much more difficult opponent in the Indiana Pacers.

Still, former NBA player Quentin Richardson likes their chances.

Talking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the former high-flying dunker claimed that there was no reason to doubt the Cavaliers after the way they played this season (via NBA on ESPN):

“The Cavs have led the East wire-to-wire. [They’ve] been the No. 1 team from the beginning to the end. They just walloped the [Miami] Heat in the first round, so they’re looking like they’re primed to do all these great things. If I had to pick in this series, I probably would pick Cleveland to win,” Richardson said.

"If I had to pick in this series, I probably would pick Cleveland to win."@QRich favors the Cavs over the Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs 👀 @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/Wu1hduzGXs

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 2, 2025

That sums it up.

The Cavaliers took care of business night in and night out, winning 64 games and having either the best or the second-best record in the entire league from start to finish.

They didn’t lose many consecutive games, and they swept the season series against most teams in the league.

Nevertheless, it’s also worth noting that their matchup with the Pacers is far from ideal.

They lost three of four against the Pacers this season, including their last two.

Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner will pose a big challenge to the Cavs’ stellar frontcourt, and that will most likely be the matchup that decides this series.

The Cavs are favored to win this series for a reason, and there should be no doubt that they can get the job done.

Then again, they can’t overlook such a tough opponent.