2024-03-13 14:25:30
The Cleveland Cavaliers (41-24) travel to meet the New Orleans Pelicans (39-25) Wednesday at Smoothie King Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cavaliers vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Pelicans lead 1-0 after winning 123-104 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Dec. 21 as a 3.5-point favorite as the Over (225) cashed
The Cavaliers have struggled recently, as injuries have really been an issue. Cleveland might still be down 3 starters with leading scorer G Donovan Mitchell (knee) out the past 7 games, although Spida has since been upgraded from out to questionable. But C Evan Mobley (ankle) is sidelined until late March and G Max Strus is out indefinitely due to a knee ailment. Lockdown defender Dean Wade is also out Wednesday due to a personal issue.
Cleveland has dropped 3 of the past 4 games, while going just 3-4 SU in the 7 outings since Mitchell went down. The Cavs are also a dismal 4-10 against the spread (ATS) in the past 14 outings. The Over is on a 3-0 run, with Cleveland allowing 118.5 PPG in the past 2 contests.
The Pelicans have won 4 in a row, while going 3-0-1 ATS in the span. The defense has been on fire, and should be again versus the shorthanded Cavs. New Orleans has allowed 103 or fewer points in 4 straight games, while allowing 106 points or less in 11 of the past 15 contests. The Under is 7-1 in the past 8 games for NOLA.
Cavaliers at Pelicans odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:09 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Pelicans -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Cavaliers +7 (-112) | Pelicans -7 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 215.5 (O: -112 | U: -118)
Cavaliers at Pelicans key injuries
Cavaliers
- G Donovan Mitchell (knee) questionable
- C Evan Mobley (ankle) out
- F Max Strus (knee) out
- F Dean Wade (personal) out
Pelicans
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Cavaliers at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 111, Cavaliers 101
Moneyline
The Pelicans (-270) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s just a little too expensive, even if the Cavaliers (+220) are extremely banged up and a shell of itself right now.
AVOIDand focus on the spread instead for a much better value.
Against the spread
The PELICANS -7 (-108) are worth playing on their home floor against the shorthanded Cavaliers +7 (-112).
New Orleans routed Cleveland in the 1st meeting, and it should have its way in this game with 2 Cavs starters out, and the defensive specialist Wade also on the sideline, and Mitchell potentially still sidelined, or perhaps limited to a pitch count if he is able to play. Cleveland likely won’t want to push him too hard and risk losing him for an extended period.
The Pels have cashed at a 3-0-1 ATS clip in the past 4 games, while going 4-1-1 ATS in the past 6 tries against Eastern Conference teams.
Meanwhile, the Cavs are 1-4 ATS in the past 5 games, losing 2 of those 3 games outright.
Over/Under
UNDER 215.5 (-118) is a strong play, as it’s hard to envision where the Cavs are going to get offense against a Pelicans team playing lockdown defense lately. Cleveland would even struggle if it weren’t so banged up, as New Orleans has allowed 106 or fewer points in 11 of the past 15 outings. The Under is on a 7-1 run for the Pelicans.
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