The Cleveland Cavaliers spent the heart of January proving to the entire league that they are a team to be reckoned with, including marquee victories over the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. Here at the end of the month they had a back-to-back against a pair of struggling squads, two nights that should have notched two wins.
Things did not go as planned in the first game Sunday night, as the Cavs went into Detroit and lost to the Pistons 115-105 as they self-destructed down the stretch. Flying back home to Cleveland, will they right the ship or face another upset loss?
The Cavs play the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night at home. What do you need to know about who is playing and how to bet?
The New Orleans Pelicans have had a disappointing season, with star point big (and secret member of the Autobots) Zion Williamson yet to play due to a lingering injury. They started just 1-12 and 3-16 before righting the ship, going on a 15-12 run as they found magic with Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas and rookie Herb Jones.
It’s been a skid of three straight losses since, all by 10 or 11 points, all without Ingram in the lineup. He is questionable for tonight’s game; if he plays this team has some talent and plenty of grit to hang with the Cavs. If he is out the Pelicans struggle to generate any offense.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans: Odds, spread, over/under
The Cavaliers (30-20) will host the Pelicans (18-31) tonight. According to our partners over at WynnBet, the Cavs are favored by 7.5 points. The over/under points total is set to 211.
The Cavs played last night in Detroit, which is perhaps the easiest trip home but still means flying and playing two games within a 24 hour period. They didn’t have the opportunity to coast last night either, instead losing the game to the Pistons. New Orleans had a day off after losing to the Boston Celtics at home on Saturday night, giving them the rest advantage.
Cavs vs Pelicans: Projected starting lineups, injury report
Pelicans starters: DeVonte’ Graham, Josh Hart, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas [if questionable players all play]; Graham, Garrett Temple, Naji Marshall, Herb Jones, Willie Hernangomez [if questionable players don’t play]
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
The Pelicans’ key injuries: Brandon Ingram (questionable, ankle); Jonas Valanciunas (questionable, illness); Josh Hart (questionable, knee); Zion Williamson (out, foot); Kira Lewis Jr. (out, knee)
The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Ricky Rubio (out for season, knee); Lauri Markkanen (out, high ankle sprain)
Cavs vs Pelicans: Prediction
As has been the case for this entire season, which players are available will likely dictate the narrative of this game. Any NBA team can lose to any other — that’s why the Cavs and Mavericks lost last night to the Pistons and Magic — but if the Pelicans are down all four of their best players then they have proven they’re barely better than a G League team this season.
Ingram is having a strong season and has developed good chemistry playing off of Valanciunas, while Herb Jones has been a revelation as a second-round rookie stepping in to make a two-way impact. Their non-Zion starting lineup of Graham-Hart-Jones-Ingram-Valanciunas is something like what the Cavs trot out, with four forwards and a small guard; that group is also +11.7 in 661 possessions per Cleaning the Glass.
Even if the Pels are at something approaching full-strength, the Cavs should have a significant advantage. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are the kind of front line that can really bother Valanciunas in the post, although he will have an advantage on the offensive glass. Whether Dean Wade or Lamar Stevens get the starting nod in place of Lauri Markkanen, they are a solid matchup on Ingram.
The Pelicans are 25th in defensive rating and in offensive rating. They will struggle to contain the Darius Garland pick-and-roll attack, while their offense will be smothered — to an extent with Ingram and Valanciunas, completely and utterly without them. Look for a low-scoring affair, with a blowout win if either of their offensive engines are out. Last night was a fluke, and the Cavs will bounce back in this one.
Prediction: Cavs 104, Pelicans 95
The Bet: Cavs (-7.5), UNDER
Cavs vs Pels: Where to Watch
It should surprise no one that this game was not flexed to national television, not with Zion Williamson still out. Therefore it will appear on Bally Sports Ohio for local fans, and for those down south will be on Bally Sports’ various affiliates — New Orleans, Southwest or Sun. Finally, everyone else can jump onto NBA League Pass.
Cleveland Cavaliers Upcoming Schedule
The Detroit loss aside, this is a soft part of the Cavs’ schedule after a tough stretch earlier in the month. After playing the Pelicans, who are 13 games under .500, the Cavs head to Houston to face the last-place Rockets, who sit 21 games under .500 as they pursue another top pick.
Things stay nice from there. After a game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, the Cavs get the Pacers, Spurs and Pacers again to fill much of the following week. While the Detroit loss should provide a hint of caution at counting chickens before they hatch, the Cavs should be strong favorites in each contest for the next two weeks.