The big picture

Cleveland Cavaliers come in 17th on the ladder; New Orleans Pelicans are 19th. Only a couple of spots separate them, so there is plenty riding on it.

Cleveland Cavaliers are 5–4 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 119.2 points for and 114.7 against.

New Orleans Pelicans are 4–5 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 120.2 points for and 118.8 against.

Form

Cleveland Cavaliers have won two of their last five and most recently beat Philadelphia 76ers 119–95.

New Orleans Pelicans have won four of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 109–115.

Head to head

These sides have met 26 times on our records since 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers 12, New Orleans Pelicans 14.

Last time out (2025-26), Cleveland Cavaliers won 111–106 at Smoothie King Center.

Cleveland Cavaliers have won the last five against New Orleans Pelicans.

Biggest margin between these two: New Orleans Pelicans by 35 points in 2018-19 (133–98).

Players to watch

For Cleveland Cavaliers, watch Donovan Mitchell (22.6 points a game, 47 rebounds in 2026-27) and Evan Mobley (19.1 points a game, 72 rebounds in 2026-27).

For New Orleans Pelicans, watch Zion Williamson (20.6 points a game, 49 rebounds in 2026-27) and Saddiq Bey (16.4 points a game, 36 rebounds in 2026-27).

At Rocket Arena

Cleveland Cavaliers have won 15 of their last 20 at Rocket Arena.

What the numbers say

On the numbers this is too close to split.