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.

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.

Haliburton is averaging a postseason-best 11.6 assists and had double-doubles in four of his five games against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. While the Cavaliers should be able to provide more defensive resistance than the Bucks, the strength of their defense isn't the backcourt.