March 21, 2026, 11:16 a.m. ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers (43-27) visit New Orleans Pelicans (25-46) Saturday evening for a 7 p.m. ET tip from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Let’s analyze NBA odds around the Cavaliers vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Cavaliers lead 1-0

Cleveland has won back-to-back games after taking down the Chicago Bulls 115-110 Thursday while failing to cover as a 9.5-point road favorite with the Under (236.5) hitting. G James Harden (36, 7 rebounds, 9 assists) led all scorers and flirted with a triple-double, while C Evan Mobley (26, 14 rebounds) and G Jaylon Tyson (18, 11) each added double-doubles in the victory.

New Orleans has won 3 games in a row after handling the Los Angeles Clippers 105-99 on Thursday, covering as a 4.5-point home favorite with the Under (228.5) hitting. F Trey Murphy III scored a game-high 27 points, while all 5 Pelicans starters scored in double figures in the winning effort.

The Cavaliers dominated the Pelicans 141-118, covering as 9.5-point home favorites with the Over (248.5) hitting in their first meeting this season in late December.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Cavaliers at Pelicans odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Pelicans +170 (bet $100 to win $170)Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers -4.5 (-110) | Pelicans +4.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 236.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Cavaliers at Pelicans key injuries

Cavaliers

C Jarrett Allen (knee) outG Donovan Mitchell (eye) questionableG Craig Porter Jr. (groin) outG Tyrese Proctor (quadricep) outG Jaylon Tyson (toe) questionable

Pelicans

G Bryce McGowens (toe) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Cavaliers at Pelicans picks and predictionsPrediction

Cavaliers 116, Pelicans 113

PASS.

There is minimal value on the Cavaliers (-210) to win Saturday.

BET PELICANS +4.5 (-110).

The Cavaliers are clearly the better team in the matchup, but they are without C Jarrett Allen and possibly G Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell’s status could play a major role in the spread, as it is slimmer than most, but without him, the Pelicans have the advantage at home.

The Pelicans are 8-0 ATS over their last 8 games, covering in each of their last 5 at home and in each of their last 4 as underdogs, including 3 times as 3.5-point or fewer underdogs. They are nearly at full health and have played solid basketball in their recent stretch. They are 42-29 ATS this season.

BET UNDER 236.5 (-110).

The Pelicans have hit the Under in each of their last 5 games, scoring 105 points in 2 of their last 4 and allowing 111 or fewer in each of their last 5.

The Cavaliers have hit the Under in 5 of their last 9. They have scored 115 or fewer points in 5 of their last 9, while allowing 116 or fewer in 7 of their last 9.

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