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Free Pick: Cavaliers vs. Pelicans NBA Lines & Handicapping Preview

NBA Betting? Cavs vs Pelicans

Friday NBA betting action sees the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, LA. Cappers picks provides free NBA handicapping tips all season long.

The Cavaliers look to bounce back after one of their worst shooting performances of the year against a Pelicans team who are also coming off a loss.

NBA Basketball Odds

Cleveland Cavaliers (13-8) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (10-11)
Friday, Dec. 12
8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center/New Orleans, LA
FSN
NBA betting odds: NO -2.5
NBA O/U odds: 199.5
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Cleveland

The Cavaliers are playing the back end of  back to back games, both having come on the road. It is still uncertain whether or not LeBron James will play, he sat out last night’s game with knee soreness.

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So far this year, Cleveland has had a hard time stopping opposing teams’ big men. They will be in for a tough task tonight when having to guard Anthony Davis.

Recently the Cavaliers have been playing better, James is averaging 24.8 points per game, Love is averaging 10.3 rebounds, and Irving 20.8 points.

Love is coming off an 18 point, 16 rebound performance against Oklahoma City and will defiantly be asked to play a bigger role in tonight’s game against Anthony Davis.

Especially if LeBron James is out, and Kyrie Irving not at 100% after tweaking his knee last night, Kevin Love will have to pick up much more of the scoring and really be challenged on the defensive end.

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In order for the Cavaliers to win this game they will have to greatly improve their shooting percentage, they shot a miserable 36.5% from the floor last night.

New Orleans

The Pelicans enter this contest off a five-point loss in Dallas Wednesday night. They received a huge performance from sharp shooter Ryan Anderson who dropped 32 points. He shot a remarkable 8-12 from the 3-point line.

New Orleans is seeking some revenge from what had happened earlier this year against the Cavaliers. They were in control most of the ball game in Cleveland, but ended up falling to the Cavaliers 118-111.

The Pelicans are led by young sensation Anthony Davis, who is averaging 25.1 points per game to go along with 10.6 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.0 steals. His player efficiency rating ranks at the top of all players in the NBA and is on pace to break an NBA record this season.

Point guard Jrue Holiday is also having a good year.

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He is averaging a career high 15.8 points per game.

NBA Handicapping Trends:

  • Cavaliers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. NBA Southwest
  • Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games vs. Western Conference
  • Pelicans are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 home games
  • Pelicans are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games vs. Eastern Conference

NBA Gambling Prediction

The outcome of this game is largely dependent on whether LeBron plays or not. In my opinion, I do not think LeBron is going to play tonight which means the Cavaliers is a scary pick. I would have to go with New Orleans, at home, against the Cavaliers who are playing back to back games, without LeBron James. Look for Davis to exploit the big man problem Cleveland has and the Cavaliers will look scrambled on offense without their floor general.

Free 4* NBA betting pick: NO -2.5

Pelicans 108, Cavaliers 101

Cleveland will be lost on both ends without LeBron, and will have to get a huge performance out of Kevin Love if they have any shot at taking this one, and Love has not been playing like himself lately.

Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.

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By Kyle R.

Kyle is new to Cappers Picks and is from from Cleveland, OHIO. A Senior at The Ohio State University. Huge Cleveland sports fan (Cavs, Indians, and Browns), and has been been betting since he was legally allowed to do so ... at 18. He's also an avid shoe collector (mostly Jordans and LeBrons), and his dream is to see a championship in Cleveland, doesn’t matter if Browns, Indians, or Cavs. Any or all will do.