The Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in a rut as they’ve lost three of their last four games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting beaten by the Suns in a 117-111 loss on Monday. Darius Garland caught fire early and drained seven 3-pointers to lead the team with 30 points and five assists, Caris LeVert added 17 points with 11 assists while Jarrett Allen chipped in with 15 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 47 percent from the field and 15 of 46 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 41 points in the first quarter to take an early 19-point lead, but they couldn’t keep up that pace and eventually went cold in the third quarter where they managed just 21 points to allow the Suns back into the contest which cost them in the end.
New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in great shape as they’ve won five of their alst six games overall and they will be gunning for a fifth straight win after routing the Hawks in a 116-103 road win on Sunday. Trey Murphy drained six 3-pointers to lead the team with 28 points, Zion Wiilliamson added 27 points with six rebounds and seven assists while CJ McCollum added 20 points on seven of 14 shooting. As a team, the Pelicans shot 57 percent from the field and 14 of 27 from the 3-point line, but this win was set up by the effort on the defensive end as they were always in control after holding the Hawks to just 42 points in the first half to lead by as many as 22 points at one stage.
Cleveland v New Orleans free prediction
The Cavaliers have ruled out Dean Wade again and they have Donovan Mitchell listed as questionable, while the Pelicans are coming into this one with a full roster once again. The Cavaliers have gone cold lately with the rising injury toll, but they could have Mitchell back in the lineup which would be a massive boost to this banged up squad, but the Pelicans come into this one as the team in better form, they are fully healthy and they should be well-rested as they haven’t played since Sunday.