Our ratings lean toward the Cavaliers on the road against the Pelicans on Monday, January 25, at about 59%. That is a real edge, but the Pelicans are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Cavaliers 59%, with a projected score of Cleveland Cavaliers 116, New Orleans Pelicans 114. The rating gap is 166 points in favor of the Cavaliers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pelicans on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 41 times in 100 games like this, the Pelicans would win.
Recent form
The Cavaliers are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -14. The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4.
The Cavaliers were beaten 130-93 at home by NYK not long ago.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Cavaliers lead 4-0, with the Cavaliers outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 16.2 points per game. The last meeting was CLE 111, NOP 106.