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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 will face the New Orleans Pelicans in NBA action at Rocket Arena on Tuesday, commencing at 7:30 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations and today’s injury updates, Dimers' advanced NBA model projects 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 look to Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey.
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 data, we have simulated the outcome of Tuesday's NBA game between the Pelicans and Cavaliers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model gives the Cavaliers a 76% chance of defeating the Pelicans. Our predicted final score has the Cavaliers winning 127-118.
According to our model, the Pelicans (+9.5) have a 54% chance of covering the spread, while the 248.5-point over/under has a 56% chance of staying under.
Pelicans vs. Cavaliers odds
We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Pelicans | Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +9.5 (-105) | -9.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +333 | -400 |
| Total | o248.5 (-108) | u248.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Pelicans vs. Cavaliers picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities against the best current 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 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Pelicans | +333 |
| Total | Under 248.5 | -110 |
According to our best NBA bets for Tuesday, the top play to make on this game is Under 248.5 total points.
Pelicans vs. Cavaliers player props
NBA player props are an enjoyable way to wager on the Pelicans vs. Cavaliers matchup 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 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Donovan Mitchell is projected to have 31 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 | 24 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 44 |
| Zion Williamson | 21 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 39 |
| Saddiq Bey | 17 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 31 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 15 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 30 |
| Derik Queen | 15 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 37 |
Cavaliers prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Cavaliers:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Mitchell | 31 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 52 |
| Darius Garland | 20 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 41 |
| De'Andre Hunter | 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 28 |
| Jarrett Allen | 14 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 34 |
| Jaylon Tyson | 13 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 28 |
Pelicans vs. Cavs game-day updates and essential details
Tuesday's matchup 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 52 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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