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Pelicans vs. Cavaliers prediction: Cleveland to win, Donovan Mitchell projected for big game in Tuesday's NBA matchup [12/23/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Ryan Leaver, Senior Sports and Betting Editor
Get New Orleans Pelicans vs Cleveland Cavaliers predictions for NBA Tuesday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans will lock horns in NBA action at Rocket Arena on Tuesday, with tipoff at 7:30 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results and today’s injury news, Dimers' advanced NBA model predicts the Cavaliers as the most likely winner of the Pelicans vs. Cavaliers game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Cavaliers lineup will feature players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter, while the Pelicans will rely on Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole.
This article offers further insights into Tuesday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Pelicans vs. Cavs prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Tuesday's NBA matchup between the Pelicans and Cavaliers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Cavaliers a 76% chance of beating the Pelicans. Our predicted final score has the Cavaliers winning 125-117.
According to our model, the Pelicans (+9.5) have a 54% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 244.5 points has a 54% chance of staying under.
Pelicans vs. Cavaliers odds
We have researched the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Pelicans | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +9.5 (-110) | -9.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +330 | -380 |
| Total | o244.5 (-112) | u244.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Pelicans vs. Cavaliers picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Pelicans +9.5 | -110 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans | +330 |
| Total | Under 244.5 | -105 |
According to our NBA best bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 244.5 total points.
Pelicans vs. Cavaliers player props
NBA prop bets are a common way to wager on the New Orleans vs. Cleveland game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Rocket Arena.
Trey Murphy is expected to lead the Pelicans with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Donovan Mitchell is projected to have 30 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the Cavaliers.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Pelicans prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Pelicans are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Murphy | 23 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 41 |
| Zion Williamson | 23 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 44 |
| Jordan Poole | 17 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 31 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 14 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 27 |
| Saddiq Bey | 14 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 26 |
Cavaliers prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Cavaliers:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Mitchell | 30 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 51 |
| Darius Garland | 19 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 39 |
| De'Andre Hunter | 18 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 31 |
| Jarrett Allen | 15 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 36 |
| Jaylon Tyson | 14 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 29 |
Pelicans vs. Cavs game-day updates and essential details
Tuesday's action between the Cavaliers and Pelicans at Rocket Arena is scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM ET.
- Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM ET/4:30PM PT
- Venue: Rocket Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Cavaliers, with a 76% win probability, will likely beat the Pelicans on Tuesday, with Donovan Mitchell projected for a game-high 51 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Pelicans vs. Cavaliers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Ryan Leaver uses advanced statistical models and simulations to predict outcomes and provide predictions for the NBA, NFL, college football, college basketball, and soccer. He offers detailed game previews, best bets, props, and futures articles.
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