Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Prediction for Saturday, March 21, 2026
Use Code WWWC It’s an interconference clash on the parquet floor in the Big Easy as the Cleveland Cavaliers collide with the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night and we have things covered with our Cavaliers vs. Pelicans prediction. Cleveland earned a 115-110 road win over the Bulls Thursday night in their previous contest, failing to cover the line as a 9.5-point favorite. New Orleans beat the Clippers 105-99 at home Thursday night, covering the line as a 4.5-point favorite, in their previous contest. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Pelicans own a 26-24 advantage though the Cavaliers have won four straight meetings, including a 141-118 home win in the most recent matchup December 23, 2025. Read more about this Cavaliers vs. Pelicans prediction! No air balls here—only slam dunks with our NBA Picks!
Cleveland Trying to Secure Home Court Advantage in First Round
Cleveland won their second straight and third in the last four games as they dropped Chicago on the road Thursday night their last time out. The Cavaliers entered Friday night 43-27 and stood second in the Central Division, 7.5 games behind Detroit for the top spot. They were fourth in the Eastern Conference, 4.5 games ahead of seventh-place Orlando to avoid the play-in tournament. Against Chicago, Cleveland trailed 11-2 just over three minutes into the game before taking control. The Cavaliers outscored the Bulls 31-11 the rest of the stanza to lead by 10 after the opening quarter and led the rest of the way. Cleveland led by 16 at the half and 20 after three quarters before holding off a Chicago rally to earn the win. The Cavaliers shot 44% from the floor, including 14 of 41 from three-point range, and won the battle of the boards by a 54-47 margin. James Harden led Cleveland with 36 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in the win.
The Cavaliers come into this one ranked 3rd in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 119.1 points per game this season. Cleveland is 12th in rebounding as they grab 44.4 boards per contest and stand 9th in assists by handing out 28.3 dimes a contest this year. The Cavaliers are 13th in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 114.8 points per game this season. Donovan Mitchell leads the way in the scoring department for Cleveland as he puts up 28 points plus 5.9 assists a night on the year. Evan Mobley (18.3 points, 8.9 boards, 3.6 assists), Jarrett Allen (15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds) and James Harden (24.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, eight assists) are solid secondary options. Jaylon Tyson (13.1 points), Dean Wade, Larry Nance Jr., Keon Ellis, Tyrese Proctor, Thomas Bryant, Sam Merrill (12.8 points), Dennis Schroder (11.4 points, five assists), Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Craig Porter Jr. and Max Strus are other contributors in the Cavaliers’ rotation. Cleveland is 9th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.7% from the floor as a team on the year. The Cavaliers are 8th by knocking down an average of 14.5 three-pointers a night while they are 12th by connecting on 36% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Cleveland is below average at the charity stripe as they rank 21st by shooting 77.3% from the line as a team.
Key Injury Report for Cavaliers:
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- Center Jarrett Allen (knee) is out.
- Guard Craig Porter Jr. (groin) is out.
- Guard Tyrese Proctor (quad) is out.
- Guard Donovan Mitchell (eye) is questionable.
- Guard Jaylon Tyson (toe) is questionable.
Pelicans Seeking to Maintain Late Surge
New Orleans ran their win streak to seven games as they swept a pair of home tilts from the Clippers with a win Thursday. The Pelicans entered Friday 25-46 and stood fourth in the Southwest Division, 27.5 games behind the Spurs for the top spot. They were 12th in the Western Conference, nine games behind the Warriors for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Against LA in a game where neither team led by more than eight points, the Pelicans were up two after the opening quarter, by three at the half and after three quarters before clamping down defensively in the final stanza to earn the win. New Orleans shot 47.4% from the field, including 13 of 34 from beyond the arc, and forced 16 turnovers to offset 16 of their own. Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 27 points and five boards in the win.
On the season, the Pelicans are 16th in the league in scoring offense as they average 115.6 points per game on the season. New Orleans is 13th in rebounding by collecting 44.1 boards a night while the team ranks 22nd in assists by dishing out 25.2 dimes a night. The Pelicans are 25th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 119.3 points per game so far this year. Zion Williamson is second on the team with 21.3 points plus 5.8 rebounds and four assists a night. Jordan Poole (13.3 points), Dejounte Murray (19.4 points), Trey Murphy III (22 points, 5.7 rebounds) and Jeremiah Fears (13 points, 3.2 assists) are solid secondary scoring options. Herbert Jones (nine points, 3.6 rebounds), Saddiq Bey (17.4 points, 5.7 rebounds), Yves Missi, Derik Queen (11.5 points, 6.9 rebounds), DeAndre Jordan, Jordan Hawkins, Kevon Looney and Bryce McGowens are key pieces in the Pelicans’ rotation. New Orleans is 16th in field goal percentage by shooting 46.6% from the field as a team this season. The Pelicans are 26th in the league in threes per game as they knock down 11.3 triples per contest and stand 23rd in three-point shooting by hitting 34.8% percent from beyond the arc. New Orleans is 14th in the league in free throw shooting by converting 78.6% of their attempts at the line.
Key Injury Report for Pelicans:
- Guard Bryce McGowens (toe) is out.
Cavaliers vs. Pelicans Pick
Cavaliers vs. Pelicans Spread Pick
- Pelicans +4.5 (4 units)
Cleveland is the better team but they are missing several key pieces while two others, including Mitchell, are questionable here. The Cavaliers have won their last three road games and stand 21-14 as the visiting team though the injury situation is concerning. New Orleans has reeled off seven straight wins and even though it’s too little, too late for this season, it at least gives them something to build around for 2026-27. The Peliicans are playing with pride and they have momentum on their side right now, plus they are healthy. Take the points and New Orleans at home in this contest.
Cavaliers vs. Pelicans Over/Under Pick
- Under 233 (4 units)
Cleveland stands 3rd in the league in scoring offense, 6th in offensive efficiency and 13th in tempo with an average of 100 possessions per game. The Cavaliers have stayed under the number in 36 of their 70 games on the year entering this contest. New Orleans has gone over the number in 35 of their 71 games on the year entering Friday night. The Pelicans are 16th in the league in scoring offense, 20th in offensive efficiency and 11th in terms of pace with 100.1 possessions a night. With New Orleans playing their third game in four nights here and Cleveland banged up, lean toward the under here.
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