The Cleveland Cavaliers (8-33) and the New Orleans Pelicans (19-22) square off at Smoothie King Center. The Cavaliers are 13.5-point underdogs and will try to snap their 10-game losing streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 221.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Odds
In their last game, the Pelicans (4.5-point favorites) covered in a 114-95 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Cavaliers fell to the Indiana Pacers, 123-115, but did cover as 9-point underdogs. The New Orleans game went 5 points under the projected point total of 214, while the Cleveland game went 15.5 points over the projected point total of 222.5.
New Orleans dominated nearly every stat category in the contest. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.253 (above their season average of 0.214) and a turnover percentage of 13.2 (worse than their season average of 12.4). Memphis recorded marks of 0.192 and 17.3, respectively, for those same stats. Cleveland, on the other hand, did a terrific job of making free throws (20-23; 87.0 percent). Anthony Davis played well for New Orleans with 36 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Tristan Thompson had a solid performance for Cleveland, finishing with 15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this year, Julius Randle led the Pelicans to a 133-98 victory. He notched a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. New Orleans covered as a 9-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 231 points, which was over the projected point total of 222.5. New Orleans was successful at getting and making free throws. The Pelicans made 25 of their 29 free throws (86.2 percent), while the Cavaliers were 14-18 (77.8 percent).
Games featuring the Cavaliers have a slight tendency to finish over the projected point total (50.0 percent). Cleveland comes into the contest with records of 8-33 straight up (SU) and 18-22 against the spread (ATS).
Just over half of Pelicans games have also finished over the O/U total. Moreover, New Orleans is 19-22 SU and 18-23 ATS.
The high-octane offense of New Orleans (fifth in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 111.2) will square off against the bottom-tier defense of Cleveland (30th in the NBA with a defensive efficiency of 114.5). The Pelicans should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Cavaliers at Pelicans ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Cavaliers rank 13th in three pointers allowed per game (30.7) while the Pelicans rank 25th (33.1).
- New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (57.7) while Cleveland ranks 28th (42.1).
- The Cavaliers rank seventh in steals allowed per game (7.2) while the Pelicans rank 25th (8.6).
- New Orleans ranks seventh in rebounds per game (46.9) while Cleveland ranks 25th (42.5).
- New Orleans ranks 11th in fast break points per game (14.5) while Cleveland ranks 25th (10.5).
- The Pelicans rank fourth in assists per game (26.8) while the Cavaliers rank 29th (20.0).
- The Pelicans rank 16th in points off turnovers per game (16.8) while the Cavaliers rank last (13.5).
- New Orleans averages 15.3 second chance points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Cleveland ranks 14th in second chance points allowed per game (12.9).
- New Orleans ranks 11th in blocks per game (5.4) while Cleveland ranks last (2.5).
- New Orleans is 4-0 when they allow below 100 points, while Cleveland is 3-3.
- The Pelicans are 19-20 when they score over 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 6-15.
- New Orleans is 10-10 ATS at home, while Cleveland is 11-8 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 11 of the Cavaliers’ 19 road games, while 10 of the Pelicans’ 20 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pelicans are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 1-4.
- In their last five games, New Orleans has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Cleveland has 4 overs.
- The Pelicans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.8, up from 2.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 100.8 points per game (1.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 120.2 points per game (7.8 above their season average).
