Cavaliers on Historic Win Streak, Pelicans Struggling with Injuries
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview: Can the Cavs Extend Their Historic Streak Amid Pelicans’ Injury Woes?
In an exciting NBA showdown this Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers (8-0) look to continue their historic start to the season as they face the New Orleans Pelicans (3-5) at the Smoothie King Center. The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET, and while Cleveland enters this contest as 7.5-point favorites, New Orleans will be hoping to overcome a slew of injuries to keep the game competitive.
The Cavaliers are off to a blistering start, with an 8-0 record—marking their best start since 1976—while the Pelicans, decimated by injuries to key players, have dropped five of their last six contests. With both teams eager to turn their respective seasons around, this matchup presents a fascinating clash of momentum versus adversity.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Historic Win Streak and a Force to Be Reckoned With
The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken the NBA by storm, starting the 2024-25 season with an 8-0 record— the franchise’s best start in nearly five decades. While their 116-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday was a nail-biter, Cleveland proved their mettle by rallying in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. The Cavs, missing a strong performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo on the opposing side, shot over 50% from the field and dominated in the paint with 52 points. Despite losing the rebounding battle (49-39), the Cavaliers capitalized on Milwaukee’s 15 turnovers, scoring 24 points off those miscues.
Cleveland’s rise has been fueled by excellent play across the roster, led by shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell, who’s averaging 23.1 points per game and shooting 40.3% from beyond the arc, continues to be the primary offensive weapon. The Cavaliers have built a deep and balanced team, with Darius Garland (20.5 PPG, 6.5 APG), Evan Mobley (17.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.8 BPG), and Jarrett Allen (15.0 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG) playing key roles in both offense and defense. Cleveland ranks 3rd in the NBA in adjusted net rating, 4th in offensive rating, and 6th in defensive rating—highlighting their efficiency on both ends of the floor.
As Cleveland embarks on what could be a deep playoff run, they will face their toughest challenge yet in this matchup against a shorthanded New Orleans team. However, if they maintain their defensive discipline and capitalize on their offensive balance, the Cavs could stretch their win streak to nine.
New Orleans Pelicans: Injuries Continue to Hamper Playoff Hopes
The New Orleans Pelicans have been hit hard by injuries, and it’s clearly taken a toll on their performance. Despite having several talented players, they’ve struggled to maintain consistency, dropping five of their last six games. The Pelicans’ most recent loss came at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers, where they were outscored 118-100. With key players Zion Williamson (21.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and CJ McCollum (18.8 PPG, 4.0 APG) sidelined due to injuries, the Pelicans could not keep up with Portland’s scoring. Adding to their woes, New Orleans shot just 28.6% from three-point range and allowed 66 points in the paint, as the Blazers shot an impressive 54.8% from the field.
New Orleans has the offensive firepower to compete when healthy. Brandon Ingram, averaging 24.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, is carrying a heavy load for the Pelicans. However, with multiple injuries, including the absence of new acquisition Dejounte Murray (out until at least December due to a hand injury), the Pelicans are struggling to find the necessary depth. Young players like Jordan Hawkins (17.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG) have stepped up, but it’s not enough to offset the loss of their All-Star talent.
The Pelicans’ inefficiencies are evident on both ends of the floor. They rank 21st in adjusted net rating, 18th in offensive rating, and 21st in defensive rating. Defensively, New Orleans is allowing opponents to shoot nearly 50% from the field (29th in the league) and struggle to close out on the three-point line (38.2%, 28th in the league). Offensively, they rank 21st in field goal percentage (44.8%) and are only 16th in three-point shooting percentage.
If the Pelicans are to stand a chance against the red-hot Cavaliers, they’ll need to find a way to mitigate the impact of their injuries and tighten up their defense. The return of players like Zion Williamson could provide a much-needed boost, but the Pelicans’ lack of depth has already put immense pressure on Ingram to carry the load.
Conclusion
The Cavaliers have a clear advantage entering this game, not only because of their historic 8-0 start but also because they are facing a Pelicans team missing several key contributors. Cleveland’s balanced scoring attack, led by Mitchell and complemented by Garland, Mobley, and Allen, gives them the upper hand in this matchup.
For New Orleans, the key will be whether they can get enough scoring from Ingram and their role players while trying to limit Cleveland’s offensive firepower. If the Pelicans are to snap their losing streak and upset the Cavaliers, they’ll need a Herculean effort from their remaining stars and an improvement in their defensive performance.
Unlock Winning Insights!
As Cavaliers and Pelicans battle it out, make sure you have the best information at your fingertips. Our data packages provide in-depth analysis and statistics that can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning big this season!
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to explore our data packages and elevate your game strategy today!
