Cavs-Pelicans: Starters, odds, injury report and TV channel

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had their share of COVID-19-related issues, just as many teams in the NBA have in recent weeks, reportedly mainly because of the spread of the omicron variant. The Cavs still currently have nearly have of their normal roster out due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, but all things considered, it hasn’t been too detrimental and the group should be healthier pretty soon.

Isaac Okoro was cleared out of protocols last weekend, and while he was not active in Cleveland’s blowout win on Sunday over a severely shorthanded Toronto Raptors team, his conditioning should be coming along. Maybe he’ll end up being on the floor soon here, with him reportedly progressing, but that seemingly won’t be the case in Cleveland’s next contest at the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pelicans have been a club that’s given Cleveland trouble in this latest rebuild; even still this is a much different Cavs team, and Zion Williamson is still a ways away from being able to go for New Orleans, a club that’s currently 12-22 on the season.

So, what do you have to know about this Cavs-Pelicans matchup, and how to bet?

Heading into this one, I could foresee this being a closer matchup between the Cavs and Pelicans. Cleveland has held it together despite their share of players in protocols, somewhat due to a light schedule of late, and New Orleans, who doesn’t have quite as many guys in protocols as some other teams, have been playing better in recent weeks, to some degree.

The Pels were still without Jonas Valanciunas in the past few outings (illness) and have not had Zion Williamson (foot), but they’ve gotten energy from guys such as Josh Hart and rookie Herb Jones, and with Cleveland still without a few key players, I’d expect New Orleans to look to push.

It was unfortunate for New Orleans that Brandon Ingram played only nine minutes in their last game, a close loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder, though, and him dealing with Achilles soreness is definitely concerning for the Pels.

Cavaliers-Pelicans: Odds, spread and over/under

In this one, the Cavs, who have often been winning by double digit margins this month, are currently favored by 4.5 points here, according to our partners at WynnBet. That seemingly has to do with the absences for New Orleans, and it seems more likely than not Brandon Ingram is unavailable; his injury news didn’t sound good, honestly.

As far as the over/under total in this one, that is set for 212.5, with Cleveland’s at 108.5 and New Orleans’ at 104.0.

Cavs-Pelicans: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Pelicans starters: Devonte’ Graham, Josh Hart/Trey Murphy III/Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, Herbert Jones, Jonas Valanciunas

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Ricky Rubio, Dean Wade, Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Love/Luke Kornet

Pelicans’ key injuries: Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naji Marshall (out, COVID-19 health and safety protcols); Zion Williamson (out, foot); Didi Luzada (out, suspension); Kira Lewis Jr. (out for season, knee); Brandon Ingram (doubtful, Achilles); Josh Hart (questionable, ankle); Jonas Valanciunas (probable, illness).

Cavs’ key injuries: Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Lamar Stevens, Dylan Windler, Cedi Osman, Ed Davis (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Isaac Okoro (questionable, conditioning/coming out of protocols).

Cavaliers-Pelicans: Prediction

The Cavaliers are not going to have the services of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley once again here, so I’d imagine Valanciunas will be able to get his throughout this game. He’ll likely be coming off a non-COVID-19-related illness, but I’d imagine he’ll be fine.

He’ll more than likely register a double-double, and Graham is a player that’s given Cleveland trouble in his prior days with the Charlotte Hornets, however, with seemingly no Ingram, the Pels’ shooting and shot creation efforts took a big hit.

Now, Hart could still be active here, and Herb Jones has been so impressive as a defensive wing that has mostly appeared at the 4. He could limit Lauri Markkanen to some degree.

Regardless, with all the New Orleans players out of commission here, and Valanciunas and Willy Hernangomez being players can target in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations with Kevin Love involved, the Cavs should be able to get the job done again here.

Part of it has been due to opponents being somewhat limited because of injury/COVID, but either way, I’d expect a currently hot-shooting Cavaliers team to eventually pull away.

Prediction: Cavs 114, Pelicans 102

The Bet: Cavs (-4.5), OVER

Cavs-Pelicans: Where to watch

This matchup is going to be the typical ordeal for most games for teams like the Cavs and Pelicans, who are both teams that are in relatively small markets and coming into the season, were not likely to be huge factors in their respective conferences.

The Cavaliers have been one of the surprises of the league so far, but in this one, it will again be televised via Bally Sports Ohio, for those within that market. For Pelicans fans in theirs, that can be viewed via Bally Sports New Orleans, Bally Sports Southeast and Bally Sports Southwest.

And for others, as always, for those subscribed, this one can be streamed via NBA League Pass.

Cavaliers upcoming schedule:

Next up for the Cavaliers, they’ve have a back-to-back slate at the Washington Wizards and versus the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday-Friday. Both of those clubs, similarly to the Cavs, have had a bunch of players enter COVID-19 health and safety protocols; the Cavs’ COVID-19 issues, for what it’s worth, were the reason for their second meeting being postponed the weekend before last.

We’ll see as far as the players that will be cleared out of protocols for Cleveland before those contests.

Following those two contests, the Cavaliers will face their Central Division rival, the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, who have dealt with their share of issues, and have been rumored to be considering a full-rebuild. Injuries haven’t helped Indy’s cause this season, either, but they still have their share of talent.