Betting tips from AI for Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans, 24 December 2025.

Analysts are leaning on Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, picturing a gritty 112-105 home win — and the market agrees with the Cavs priced at 1.33. Home-court defense and a healthy Donovan Mitchell keep Cleveland in control even with Evan Mobley out and Larry Nance Jr. sidelined.

New Orleans is dangerous offensively — they just blew out Indiana 128-109 — but their defense leaks 122.5 points per game and Herbert Jones is questionable. The Pelicans are a true upset threat at 3.45, yet their four road wins and season-long defensive flaws make them a lower-expected-value pick. Given Cleveland’s defensive structure, depth and home edge, backing the Cavs is the smarter moneyline play.

The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is set for a clash where the Cleveland Cavaliers are heavily favored at 1.33 against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, astute bettors will eye the value. While analysts are backing the Cavs for a gritty 112-105 win, their recent stumbles against lesser opponents like the Bulls and Hornets, coupled with significant injuries to Evan Mobley and Larry Nance Jr., cast a shadow over their dominance.

Donovan Mitchell's probable return is a boost, but Mobley's absence particularly weakens their interior defense against a Pelicans squad that just lit up Indiana for 128 points. New Orleans might be 7-22 with a porous defense, but they snapped a skid convincingly and have a historical 21-15 head-to-head edge, including a 123-104 upset in Cleveland two years ago.

With Herbert Jones questionable, the Pelicans still possess enough offensive firepower to exploit a short-handed Cavaliers frontcourt. The 3.45 odds on the Pelicans represent a prime opportunity for a profitable upset bet, especially when considering Cleveland's vulnerability despite being at home. This isn't the lock the bookmakers suggest.

The Cavaliers enter as significant favorites at 1.33 and for good reason. Despite recent stumbles against the Bulls and Hornets, Cleveland's home-court advantage at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse should prove decisive against a struggling Pelicans squad.

New Orleans may have snapped their losing streak with an impressive win over Indiana, but their league-worst defense allowing 122.5 points per game is a major liability against Cleveland's offensive weapons. Even with Evan Mobley and Larry Nance Jr. sidelined, the Cavs should have enough firepower with Donovan Mitchell expected to play.

The Pelicans' 7-22 record speaks volumes, particularly their dismal road performance with just four wins away from home. While Herbert Jones' questionable status further complicates their outlook, the 3.45 underdog odds reflect their realistic chances.

Despite the Pelicans holding a historical edge in the series, Cleveland's current form and home advantage make them the smart bet, even at the steep 1.33 price.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are primed to reclaim their home-court dominance against a struggling New Orleans Pelicans squad on Christmas Eve. Despite recent stumbles against the Bulls and Hornets, the Cavs boast a solid 15-14 record and the league's stingy defense, which should exploit the Pelicans' leaky backcourt that surrenders a league-worst 122.5 points per game.

Injuries sting both sides—Evan Mobley and Larry Nance Jr. are out for Cleveland, while Herbert Jones is questionable for New Orleans—but Donovan Mitchell's probable status gives the Cavs a scoring edge in the gritty confines of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Pelicans' recent 128-109 thrashing of Indiana shows their offensive firepower, but their 7-22 mark and mere four road wins scream vulnerability.

History favors New Orleans with a 21-15 head-to-head lead, including that 123-104 upset in Cleveland two years ago, but current form points to a Cavs rebound. Analysts predict a 112-105 victory, aligning with the heavy 1.33 favoritism. For bettors eyeing value, the Pelicans at 3.45 tempt as underdogs, but Cleveland's defensive grit makes them the safer play to cover and win.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are heavy favorites at 1.33, backed by analysts for a home win. Despite injuries to Evan Mobley and Larry Nance Jr., Donovan Mitchell's probable presence bolsters their offense against a Pelicans defense allowing 122.5 points per game.

New Orleans, with Herbert Jones questionable, snapped a skid but has only four road wins. While head-to-head history favors the Pelicans, Cleveland's home edge and defensive superiority should prevail, making them the profitable pick.

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter this matchup as heavy favorites with odds of 1.33, and for good reason. Despite recent setbacks against the Bulls and Hornets, their overall performance at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse remains formidable, especially given their defensive tenacity. The absence of Evan Mobley and Larry Nance Jr. could hurt their interior presence, but Donovan Mitchell's probable availability ensures their offensive firepower stays intact.

On the other side, the New Orleans Pelicans are reeling with a dismal 7-22 record and have struggled defensively, conceding an alarming 122.5 points per game—the worst in the NBA. While they snapped a losing streak with a dominant 128-109 win over Indiana, their porous defense is unlikely to contain Cleveland’s scoring threats consistently. Herbert Jones being questionable further compounds their woes, potentially weakening both ends of the floor.

Historically, the Pelicans hold a slight edge in head-to-head matchups (21-15), but that includes games played under vastly different circumstances. Their last victory in Cleveland—a 123-104 upset two years ago—feels like ancient history given the current dynamics. With home-court advantage amplifying Cleveland’s strengths, backing the Cavaliers seems prudent despite the steep odds.

While betting on the Pelicans at 3.45 might seem tempting for long-shot payouts, their glaring defensive vulnerabilities make them a risky proposition. Expect the Cavaliers to leverage their home dominance and grind out a hard-fought win.