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Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions – December 23, 2025
The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night at Smoothie King Center in a quietly intriguing cross-conference battle. Tip is set for 8:00 PM ET. The Cavs come in winners of three straight, while New Orleans has gone 6-2 in their last eight and just took down the Bucks.
Both teams have playoff aspirations, and this one may feel like a mini litmus test before the new year. Cleveland’s elite defense clashes with a Pelicans team that’s becoming one of the most efficient halfcourt units in the league when healthy. The market opened tight for a reason.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds
These are the current lines. Always check the latest NBA odds for changes before placing bets.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +110 | +2.0 (-110) | O 223.5 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | -130 | -2.0 (-110) | U 223.5 (-110) |
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Form
The Cavs are starting to regain identity after a bumpy start. With Evan Mobley anchoring the paint and Darius Garland distributing cleanly, they’ve held three straight opponents under 108 points. Cleveland ranks top five in defensive rating this month and has slowly improved their rebounding rate — a key trend against this Pelicans front line.
Offensively, it’s still a grind. Cleveland plays slow (bottom 6 in pace), leans on midrange looks, and rarely gets easy transition buckets. That keeps them in tight games, which is why they’ve been more profitable ATS as underdogs. Keep tabs on the Cleveland Cavaliers injury report for Mobley’s status — he’s missed time with a nagging ankle.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Form
The New Orleans Pelicans have turned a corner. They’ve beaten the Nuggets, Bucks, and Clippers in the last 10 days, and Zion Williamson is starting to look dominant again. Their halfcourt sets are smoother, and CJ McCollum’s floor-spacing makes everything easier when he’s active.
Defensively, New Orleans is a top-10 team in efficiency since December 1. They force tough jumpers, crash the defensive glass, and have limited transition damage. The only concern here is the pace — they don’t run much either, which could lead to scoring lulls.
Brandon Ingram’s shot selection will be a swing factor, and Jonas Valanciunas will need to stay out of foul trouble against Jarrett Allen. Monitor the New Orleans Pelicans injury report for any late scratches.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup Breakdown
This one profiles as a grinder. Both teams are bottom 10 in pace, top 10 in defensive efficiency, and prefer halfcourt execution over chaos. Expect possessions to be longer, with more midrange and post touches than three-point flurries.
Key matchup factors:
- Cleveland allows the fewest rim attempts per game
- New Orleans leads the league in points in the paint
- Both teams rank bottom 5 in fast-break scoring
- Under is 7-3 in Cavs’ last 10 road games
This game offers value for bettors who understand tempo and flow. Want to sharpen your angles? Review our sports betting strategy guide or explore how NBA betting works.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions and Best Bets
This number feels about right. On paper, New Orleans has the more complete offense and homecourt advantage. But Cleveland’s defensive floor is higher, and if Mobley plays, they can disrupt Zion’s post game and keep this tight. The Cavs have quietly become a solid road underdog bet — and they’re undervalued when the total is low.
The total also deserves attention. With pace likely to crawl and two efficient defenses in play, I lean Under unless it dips below 222.
Looking for value angles? You might consider a hedge bet if you’re parlaying this with another game.
Best Bet: Under 223.5 (-110).
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