The Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans meet Saturday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs. Cavaliers Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Bucks and Bulls, and they play the Magic next. The Cavs have won 14 of their last 20 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 119.1 points on 47.8 percent shooting and allowing 114.9 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 28.2 points and 5.9 assists, while Max Strus is averaging 24 points and 1 assist. James Harden is the third double-digit scorer, and Evan Mobley is grabbing 8.7 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 77.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 36.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.2 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Mavs and Clippers and play the Knicks next. The Pelicans have won 10 of their last 14 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 115.6 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 120 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.9 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 21.4 points and 5.9 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer, and Dejounte Murray is dishing 5.3 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.6 percent from beyond the arc and 78.7 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.7 rebounds per game.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Pelicans have won each of their last seven home games.
- The Cavaliers have lost five of their last six games as favorites following a win.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last eight games.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites following a win.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last 13 night games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last six games against Central Division opponents.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Central Division opponents.
- The Cavaliers have covered the spread in each of their last five games as favorites against the Pelicans.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last five games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Cavaliers’ last four games as favorites against the Pelicans have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Zion Williamson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points in the paint per game (15.6) this season.
- Herb Jones is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 8+ steals in a game this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Evan Mobley has recorded 13+ rebounds in two consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Dean Wade ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist-to-turnover ratio (5.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from an HT deficit this season—trailing by 22 points vs. the Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint (4070) this season.
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q3 points per game this season (31.1).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (29.9).
Pelicans vs Cavaliers Injury Report
The Pelicans will be without Bryce McGowens.
The Cavs will be without Tyrese Proctor, Craig Porter, and Jarrett Allen. Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson are questionable.
Pelicans vs Cavaliers Prediction
The Cavaliers are the better team and are winning games but they’re 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games. The Cavs are 28-41-1 ATS on the season. only the Kings have been worse at cashing tickets this season. The Cavs also enter this game banged up and could be without several rotation players. The Pelicans have nothing to play for but they’ve been a different team since getting healthy and winning games and they’re 42-29 ATS on the season. Unlike most of the league, the Pelicans aren’t taking and are making money. I’ll grab the points with the Pels at home.