The New Orleans Pelicans (8-22) take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (16-14) in an Eastern vs. Western Conference clash, with the Pelicans aiming to extend their surprising five-game winning streak against a Cavaliers team that’s stumbled recently, going 1-4 in their last five. Cleveland has been solid at home (9-6), while New Orleans struggles on the road (2-12). The Cavaliers won their last meeting on November 20, 2025, 128-100 in New Orleans, but the Pelicans’ recent surge, fueled by Zion Williamson’s return to form, could make this competitive.
Expect a focus on interior scoring, as both teams rank in the top 10 for points in the paint, though Cleveland’s defense (allowing 110.5 PPG) gives them an edge over New Orleans’ leaky unit (116.8 PPG allowed).
Venue Location
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (formerly known as Rocket Arena in some listings), Cleveland, Ohio. This 19,432-capacity arena has hosted the Cavaliers since 1994 and is renowned for its energetic crowds, especially during playoff pushes.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (FDSOH) for Cavaliers fans, Gulf Coast Sports and Pelicans+ for Pelicans viewers, with national streaming on NBA League Pass and radio on WTAM 1100 / 100.7 WMMS.
Injury Report
Injuries loom large, particularly for Cleveland’s frontcourt depth and New Orleans’ perimeter defense, potentially shifting rotations toward smaller lineups.
New Orleans Pelicans:
Herbert Jones: Day-to-Day (sprained right ankle) – The defensive specialist exited Monday’s game vs. Dallas and won’t return; his status for Tuesday is uncertain, impacting wing defense.
espn.com +2
Dejounte Murray: Out (Achilles) – Expected back after New Year’s, leaving a void in playmaking (averaging 18.5 PPG, 6.2 APG when healthy).
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Trey Alexander: Out (G League – Two-Way) – Minimal impact on rotation.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Evan Mobley: Out (Grade 1 left calf strain) – Injured in recent win over Wizards; his absence weakens rim protection (11.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG).
Max Strus: Out (foot) – No timetable; his shooting (36% from three) is missed on the wing.
Larry Nance Jr.: Out (calf) – Week-to-week, further thinning frontcourt options.
Chris Livingston: Out (G League – Two-Way) – Not rotation-relevant.
Darius Garland: Available – Recently rediscovering form after a slump, expected to play full minutes (20.4 PPG, 6.8 APG).
Reports indicate both teams’ full lists were not yet submitted as of early morning, but no additional surprises are anticipated.
Player Matchups
This back-to-back for both teams highlights guard play and interior battles, with Cleveland’s perimeter speed clashing against New Orleans’ athletic forwards.
Donovan Mitchell (CLE) vs. Brandon Ingram (NOP): Mitchell’s scoring explosion (27.6 PPG) faces Ingram’s length (22.4 PPG, 38% 3PT); Ingram must contain Mitchell’s drives to keep the game close.
Zion Williamson (NOP) vs. Jarrett Allen (CLE): Williamson’s recent rhythm (24 PPG in streak) tests Allen’s rim protection (13.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG); foul trouble could swing this, as Zion thrives in transition.
Trey Murphy III (NOP) vs. Darius Garland (CLE): Murphy’s shooting (16.8 PPG, 40% 3PT) vs. Garland’s playmaking; Garland’s recent uptick could exploit Murphy’s defense.
Bench Watch: CJ McCollum (NOP) vs. Ty Jerome (CLE): McCollum’s veteran scoring (19.5 PPG) off the bench could target Jerome, who dropped 29 in their last matchup.
Cleveland emphasizes ball movement (26.4 APG), while New Orleans pushes pace during their streak.
Recent Team Forms
The Pelicans have turned a corner with a five-game win streak, averaging 118.4 PPG, while the Cavaliers are 1-4 in their last five, allowing 122.6 PPG defensively.
New Orleans Pelicans (5-5 in last 10 games, averaging 112.6 PPG scored, 114.8 PPG allowed):
Dec 22: W vs. Dallas Mavericks (exact score not listed, but part of streak)
Dec 20: W vs. Indiana Pacers
Recent trend: Riding a five-game surge after a dismal start, with improved shooting (47% FG) and fewer turnovers (13.2 per game).
Cleveland Cavaliers (4-6 in last 10 games, averaging 115.2 PPG scored, 113.4 PPG allowed):
Dec 22: W/L vs. Charlotte Hornets (back-to-back context)
Dec 19: L 125-136 vs. Chicago Bulls
Recent trend: Struggling with a 1-4 skid, including home losses, but strong rebounding (48.2 per game) persists.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Key Stat |
| Pelicans | W-W-W-W-W | 5-0 streak, +8.2 point differential |
| Cavaliers | L-W-L-L-L | 1-4, -6.4 point differential |
Series History
The all-time series favors the Pelicans slightly at 26-23 in 49 regular-season games. Cleveland holds a 3-game winning streak, including a 128-100 victory on November 20, 2025. The Cavaliers are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings overall, with a 13-11 edge at home. New Orleans last won on January 16, 2023 (113-103).
Betting Trends
Cleveland is 14-16 ATS overall but 8-7 at home; New Orleans is 20-10 ATS, including 9-5 as road underdogs. The over has hit in 18 of 30 Pelicans games (60%) and 15 of 30 for Cleveland, driven by high-scoring affairs. Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their win streak; Cavaliers 1-4 ATS in last five. Player props: Zion Williamson over 24.5 points (-115) has hit in 4 of 5 recent games.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 245.5
Cleveland Cavaliers – 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
