Cleveland Cavaliers at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 1/9/2019

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 13.5 point favorites.

The Cavaliers have a record of 8-32. They are 5th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -10.5 as they average 101.6 points per game while giving up 112.1 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 19-22. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They total 116.6 points per contest and give up 114.6, which is a point differential of 2.0.

Valuable Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 18-22-0 against the spread this season

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 20-19-0 against the over/under this year

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-23-0 against the spread this season

The New Orleans Pelicans are 21-18-0 against the over/under this year

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

11/26/18 G JR Smith Possible Trade is out indefinitely
11/16/18 F John Henson Wrist is out indefinitely
10/29/18 F Kevin Love Foot is out indefinitely
01/07/19 G David Nwaba Knee is out indefinitely
01/06/19 C Ante Zizic Knee is questionable Tuesday vs Indiana
01/06/19 G Rodney Hood Achilles is questionable Tuesday vs Indiana
01/06/19 PG Matthew Dellavedova Foot is questionable Tuesday vs Indiana

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/11/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle is out indefinitely
01/07/19 G E'Twaun Moore Quad is questionable Wednesday vs Cleveland

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson comes into this game averaging 16.9 points per contest while playing 26.3 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 86%. Rodney Hood averages 12.9 points per contest in 28.0 minutes per game. He averages 2.0 assists per game and 2.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday scores 20.8 points per contest while playing 36.5 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.5 rebounds per contest and has 8.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 28.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 37.0 minutes per game. He also brings in 13.3 rebounds per game and has 4.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 101.6 points per contest, which is 28th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -10.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 27th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They average 42.7 boards per contest and 19.9 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 27th with 12.9 per game. The Cavaliers allow 112.1 points per contest, which is 21st in the NBA. They also surrender a 49% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 25th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.7 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they allow 24.4 assists per game which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 11.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 2nd in the NBA with 116.6 points per contest this season. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.02. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 7th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.9 boards per contest and 3rd in assists per game with 26.8. The Pelicans are 8th in turnovers per contest with 14.4. The Pelicans give up 114.6 points per game, which ranks them 25th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 21st and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 25.1 dimes allowed per game and 8th with 43.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 9th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 25th in the league in defensive rating with 117.5, and their offensive rating of 106.5 is ranked 30th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. As a unit they are 28th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA. Cleveland is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 1st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 16th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Pelicans are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.3, and their defensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Cavaliers/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Cleveland +13.5

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