NBA Playoffs 2018: Watch Pacers vs. Cavs Game 5, series schedule, TV channel, online stream

Cavaliers fans breathed a huge sigh of relief after their team nearly squandered another big lead to the Pacers in Game 4, but hung on to even the series at 2-2. Now they have another huge game ahead of them -- they don't want to go back to Indiana down 3-2, that's for sure.

This has been a fascinating series. The Cavaliers have struggled to play consistent basketball all season and this is the first time a LeBron James-led team has dropped the opening game of the opening series. The Pacers, on the other hand, have been one of the biggest surprises in the league. Led by Victor Oladipo, they shocked everybody with their prolific offense and high energy.

No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32) vs. No. 5 Indiana Pacers (48-34)

How to Watch Game 5

• Date: Wednesday, April 25
  
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
  
• Location: Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
  
• TV: TNT
  
• Live stream: TNTDrama.com or TNT App  
  

Playoff series schedule

Regular season series: Pacers won 3-1

Last season's playoff results: Cavaliers were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in NBA Finals; Pacers were swept by the Cavaliers in the first round

Injury report: George Hill missed Game 4 due to back spasms.

Cavaliers' starting lineup: G Jose Calderon; G Kyle Korver; F J.R. Smith; F LeBron James; C Kevin Love

Pacers' starting lineup: G Darren Collison; G Victor Oladipo; F Bojan Bogdanovic; F Thaddeus Young; C Myles Turner

Cavaliers win if ...

The Cavaliers win if they flip the switch. They've been an up-and-down team all season, but they finished the season with flashes of who they want to be come postseason time. Larry Nance Jr. gives them a lot of versatility off the bench and is a game-changer for them. However, none of this matters if they can't flip the switch and look like the team everybody expects them to be. That will depend on LeBron James. 

Pacers win if ...

The Pacers can win this series if the Cleveland's defense doesn't improve in the playoffs. The Cavs have been one of the NBA's worst defensive teams this season and ranks 29th in defensive efficiency. The Pacers have a fast-paced offense that can exploit the Cavs in a hurry. They're an average defensive team, though, so they'll need to outscore the Cavs to have a chance. 

SportsLine projections  

According to SportsLine data scientist Stephen Oh, the Cavaliers have a 59.8 percent chance to win the first round and a 34.4 percent chance of reaching the conference finals. SportsLine will have game-by-game gambling advice for every playoff series here.

2018 Playoff Bracket