Injuries continue to hamper the New Orleans Pelicans, notching just one win in their last nine. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to 15-1 on Tuesday as the Boston Celtics handed them their first loss of the season.
My Pelicans vs. Cavaliers predictions expect the Cavs to win handily at home as New Orleans is in mayday mode. Cleveland should be amped to get back in the win column following Tuesday’s narrow loss.
Read my NBA picks to see why you should take Cleveland and the points in this 7:30 p.m. ET tip at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Wednesday, November 20.
Pelicans vs Cavaliers prediction
My best bet
Cavaliers -13.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Cleveland Cavaliers were down by as many as 21 points early in the third quarter of Tuesday’s loss to Boston. The Cavs made it a game late and ultimately fell by three points to take their first loss of the season. I expect Cleveland to come out hot and looking for a win at home tonight.
The New Orleans Pelicans suffered a monster loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, dropping their eighth game in nine outings. New Orleans’ lineup is decimated by injuries and, as Jackson Browne sang, is “Running on Empty.” The Pels will be without four starters — including Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray — and two key reserves.
New Orleans has failed to score 100 points in four of its last six games, and the Pelicans (96.5) remain the only team to average fewer than 100 points per game on the road. This is the second leg of a back-to-back set against an excellent opponent, and the Pelicans’ already outmatched unit could struggle even more than usual.
The Cavaliers won and covered against the Pelicans when the teams met on November 6, and Cleveland is a healthy 12-4 ATS. Cleveland is 2-1 ATS as a double-digit home favorite, and the Pelicans are 0-1 as double-digit dogs on the road.
While New Orleans’ offense has struggled, Cleveland sports the highest-scoring attack in the NBA (123.3 points per game), especially at home (124.5). Cleveland’s +11.4 point differential is tops in the Association, so they should have no problem running New Orleans out of the gym tonight.
Pelicans vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Cavaliers -13.5
Jarrett Allen Over 24.5 pts+reb
Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes
The odds on Brandon Ingram’s 3-pointers are too short to take on their own, but this one feels like easy money, so it’s a perfect addition to the parlay.
Ingram is averaging a career-best 2.5 triples on 6.7 attempts this season. He’s hit at least two in five straight games and 12 of 15 on the season. Cleveland has been getting torched on the perimeter, allowing the sixth-most threes (14.5) overall and 20.7 over the last three games.
Cleveland allows opponents to shoot 38.9% from beyond the arc this season, but the Cavs have allowed 45.9% 3-point shooting over the last three games. Ingram is in a prime spot to hit the Over here.
Jarrett Allen is averaging 14.3 points and 10.9 boards this season. He’s compiled a double-double in four straight and in 11 of 16 games on the season. The Pelicans allow the 12th-most offensive rebounds per game.
The Pels allow the 10th-most points per game overall, but the defense has been cooked in the paint. New Orleans allows the second-most paint points (54.8), including 56.7 across the last three games and 66 in Tuesday’s blowout loss to Dallas.
Allen has hit the Over on this line in 10 of 16 games, and I’m fully confident he’ll do it again tonight in this excellent matchup.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Pelicans vs Cavaliers odds
Pelicans vs Cavaliers live odds
Pelicans vs Cavaliers opening odds
- Spread: New Orleans +13.5 (-110) | Cleveland -13.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: New Orleans +800 | Cleveland -1,300
- Over/Under: Over 221.5 (-110) | Under 221.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Pelicans vs Cavaliers spread and Over/Under analysis
- New Orleans lost in blowout fashion Tuesday and failed to cover, dropping the team’s straight-up and ATS records to 4-11.
- Despite taking its first L of the season, Cleveland covered a 6.5-point spread against Boston to improve its ATS record to 12-4.
- The Pelicans offense couldn't get anything going against the Mavericks, and New Orleans has gone 7-8 to the Under through 15 games.
- The Cavaliers offense is one of the best while the team’s defense has been above average, and Cleveland is 11-5 to the Over.
Pelicans vs Cavaliers trend
Cleveland won and covered in the first head-to-head matchup of the season on November 6. The teams split last season’s series 1-1 SU and ATS, and the Over and Under each hit one time. Over the last 10 head-to-head meetings between these teams, each has gone 5-5 straight up and ATS with a 4-5-1 record to the Under. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Pelicans vs Cavaliers
| Location: | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date: | Wednesday, 11-20-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FanDuel Sports Network - Ohio, GCSEN |
Pelicans vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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