New Orleans Pelicans at Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, January 30 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Cavaliers about a 82% chance, and the Pelicans would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Cavaliers 82%, with a projected score of New Orleans Pelicans 110, Cleveland Cavaliers 120. The rating gap is 166 points in favor of the Cavaliers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Cavaliers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 6 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4. The Cavaliers are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -14.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
The Cavaliers were beaten 130-93 at home by NYK 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 16.3 points per game. The last meeting was CLE 111, NOP 106.