A high-scoring game should be expected when the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-30) and the New Orleans Pelicans (43-32) face off at Quicken Loans Arena. The game can be seen on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 30, 2018.
New Orleans Pelicans at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction
The Pelicans are trying to rebound after their 107-103 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their last game. Portland’s 8.4 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over New Orleans, who had a rate of 13.8. The Trail Blazers’ mark was better than their season average of 11.9. Anthony Davis was New Orleans’ high scorer with 36 points on 15-for-24 shooting.
The last time the Cavaliers played, they were victorious over the Charlotte Hornets, 118-105. Cleveland’s 5.6 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Charlotte, who had a rate of 13.1. The Cavaliers’ mark was better than their season average of 12.5. LeBron James was the top scorer from either team with 41 points on 14-for-26 shooting.
The high-octane offense of Cleveland (fifth in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 111.0) will square off against the mid-tier defense of New Orleans (15th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 106.9). The Cavaliers should have the edge on that side of the ball. Moreover, the Pelicans, who rank 22nd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.185), could struggle to get to the line against the Cavaliers, who rank third in opponents’ FTA rate (0.170).
New Orleans comes into the game with records of 43-32 straight up (SU) and 40-34-1 against the spread (ATS). Pelicans games have typically gone over the projected point total (58.7 percent).
Cleveland has a respectable 45-30 SU record, but they are just 27-47-1 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Cavaliers games, with 38 overs compared to 36 unders.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, DeMarcus Cousins registered a triple-double. He had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and the Pelicans, who were 2.5-point underdogs, defeated the Cavaliers 123-101. The game finished with a total of 224 points, which was just 4 points above the projected point total of 220 points. The Pelicans had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.8 vs. 11.9) and had a much better turnover percentage (9.7 vs. 17.0).
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
New Orleans is 23-14 ATS on the road with 19 unders and 18 overs.
At home, Cleveland is 10-25-1 ATS with 18 overs, 17 unders and 1 push.
Cleveland is 15-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while New Orleans is 10-2.
The Pelicans are 40-20 when they reach 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 44-17.
New Orleans ranks third in blocks per game (5.9) while Cleveland ranks 28th (3.9).
The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (26.4) while the Cavaliers rank 28th in assists allowed per game (25.7).
Cleveland ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (32.3) while New Orleans ranks 27th in three pointers allowed per game (30.9).
The Pelicans rank second in points in the paint per game (52.1) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (46.9).
Cleveland ranks 13th in fast break points allowed per game (11.4) while New Orleans ranks 27th (14.3).
The Pelicans rank 10th in rebounds per game (44.2) while the Cavaliers rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (43.9).
Cleveland ranks 16th in second chance points allowed per game (12.9) while New Orleans ranks 27th (13.7).
The Pelicans rank 16th in steals per game (7.7) while the Cavaliers rank 25th (7.0).
Cleveland ranks 20th in points off turnovers per game (16.2) while New Orleans ranks 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, New Orleans is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Pelicans have been outscored by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. On the season, New Orleans has defeated opponents by an average of 0.4 points.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 114.0 points per game (3.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.2 points per game (1.8 below their season average).
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