New Orleans Pelicans vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick & Prediction for 12/23

The New Orleans Pelicans will play against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. The game will take place on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 7:30 PM and will air on FDSO. This game marks the start of the NBA regular season.

New Orleans has a record of 8-22 and is led by interim head coach James Borrego. The Pelicans are in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. Cleveland, with a 16-14 record, is coached by Kenny Atkinson. They are in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference.

Pelicans vs Cavaliers Game Day Info

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Venue: Rocket Arena
  • Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Pelicans Spread +9.5 (-111), Cavaliers Spread -9.5 (-110), Pelicans MoneyLine +313, Cavaliers MoneyLine -406, Over/Under 237

New Orleans Pelicans Team Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans have been on a winning streak, securing victories in their last five games. They recently defeated the Dallas Mavericks 119-113 with Zion Williamson scoring 24 points and Derik Queen contributing 19 points. This shows the Pelicans’ ability to perform well in close games.

Offensively, the Pelicans rank 18th in points per game, averaging 115.4 points. They excel in two-point attempts, ranking 2nd with 59.3 attempts per game. However, their three-point shooting is less effective, ranking 27th in percentage and 29th in makes per game.

Zion Williamson leads the team with an average of 21.5 points per game. Trey Murphy III is also a key player, averaging 20.8 points and 6.3 rebounds. Derik Queen contributes with 13.2 points and 6.9 rebounds, adding strength to the lineup.

Cleveland Cavaliers Team Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off a win against the Charlotte Hornets. They scored 139 points with a field goal percentage of 55.2%. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell led the team with 27 and 30 points, respectively.

In their recent games, the Cavaliers have been strong offensively. They rank 9th in points per game, averaging 119.3. Their three-point shooting is also a strength, with 15.1 made per game, placing them 3rd in the league.

The Cavaliers have some key players out due to injuries. Larry Nance Jr. and Evan Mobley are both dealing with calf strains. Max Strus is recovering from foot surgery and is out indefinitely.

BTB Betting Pick

The Cavaliers are favored by 9.5 points against the Pelicans. Cleveland scores 119.3 points per game, while New Orleans allows 122.2 points per game. With these stats, Cleveland is projected to win 125-115. The pick is for the Cavaliers to cover the spread of -9.5.

The total for the game is set at 237 points. The Cavaliers and Pelicans combine for a projected score of 240 points. Both teams have high-scoring offenses and allow a lot of points, so the pick is to take the over 237.