The New Orleans Pelicans (8-22) and Cleveland Cavaliers (16-14) meet Tuesday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Cavaliers won 2-0
The Pelicans topped the Dallas Mavericks 119-113 at home Monday as a 4-point favorite as the Under (244) cashed. F Zion Williamson scored 24 points, including 10 straight in a decisive 2-minute span of the fourth quarter, to power the Pelicans. C Derik Queen had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and F Saddiq Bey added 19 points and 7 rebounds.
New Orleans has won 5 in a row, while covering each of the past 6 outings. The Pelicans are 10-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past 11 games, while the Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games.
The Cavaliers held off the Charlotte Hornets 139-132 Monday night, but it failed to cover as a 9.5-point home favorite as the Over (251) cashed. G Donovan Mitchell went for 30 points, including 6 triples, while adding 5 assists and 4 rebounds. G Darius Garland had 27 points with 10 assists and 5 triples.
Cleveland halted a 3-game losing streak with the win over Charlotte, but it has failed to cover 6 in a row. The Over has cashed in back-to-back games.
Both teams are playing on no rest. Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in the past 5 games when playing in the second end of a back-to-back. New Orleans is 3-1 ATS in the past 4 games when playing in the second half of a back-to-back set.
Pelicans at Cavaliers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 12:56 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Cavaliers -400 (bet $400 to win $100)Against the spread: Pelicans +8.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -8.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 245.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pelicans at Cavaliers key injuries
Pelicans
(Not yet submitted — below was for Monday’s game)
G Herbert Jones (ankle) questionableG Dejounte Murray (leg) out
Cavaliers
(Not yet submitted — below was for Monday’s game)
G Sam Merrill (hand) probableG Donovan Mitchell (illness) probableF Larry Nance Jr. (calf) outF Max Strus (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pelicans at Cavaliers picks and predictionsPrediction
Pelicans 119, Cavaliers 115
The PELICANS (+300) are a strong value for the opportunity to multiply up by 3 times.
The Cavaliers are just a little bit off lately, winning once in the past 4 games, and just 4 times in the past 12 outings. It’s worth the risk, for the potential huge payoff, to back the red-hot New Orleans side on the road, especially with both teams coming in on no rest. It will be much, much closer than the books think, and New Orleans is the healthier side, too.
The PELICANS +8.5 (-105) are a strong play with the points, as it’s very unlikely the Cavaliers suddenly turn it on and win by double digits.
New Orleans is 6-0 ATS in the past 6 games, and 10-1 ATS in the previous 11 outings. Meanwhile, Cleveland has not covered in the past 6 outings. Go rather aggressively on the Pelicans here.
The UNDER 245.5 (-110) is a big, big number for 2 teams each playing on no rest. It wouldn’t be surprising to see each team a little sluggish.
The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games for New Orleans, allowing 113 or fewer points in this 3 Under results. The lone Over in the span was an OT win over Houston on Dec. 18. The Over has cashed in the past 2 games for the Cavs, but the Under is 2-1 in the past 3 games when playing on no rest.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @danieledobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire