Pelicans vs Cavaliers Live Stream: How to Watch, Start Time, Odds & Key Injury Updates Tonight

The New Orleans Pelicans head to Rocket Arena on Tuesday night riding a five-game surge and looking to extend their momentum against a shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers squad in the only regular-season meeting between the clubs in Ohio. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the matchup is available on FanDuel SN OH, GCSEN and NBA League Pass, with streaming options through fuboTV and the NBA app—key search terms for “Pelicans vs Cavaliers live stream,” “how to watch Pelicans vs Cavs,” and “Pelicans vs Cavaliers channel.” Momentum and recent form • New Orleans (8-22) has flipped its season narrative with five straight victories, averaging 127.4 points while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor during that span, thanks largely to a resurgent Zion Williamson and breakout sniper Trey Murphy III, who leads the club at 20.8 PPG. • Cleveland (16-14) halted a three-game skid by outlasting Charlotte 139-132 on Monday but now faces the second night of a back-to-back without several starters. Injury report and roster notes • Pelicans: Herbert Jones (ankle), Jordan Poole (ankle) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) remain sidelined, forcing coach Willie Green to lean on rookie point guard Skylar Mays for secondary playmaking. • Cavaliers: Evan Mobley (calf), Max Strus (foot) and Larry Nance Jr. (calf) are out; Darius Garland (quad) is a game-time decision, while Lonzo Ball continues his slow return from knee surgery. That leaves Donovan Mitchell—currently second in the East at 30.7 PPG—to shoulder an even heavier load. • Zion Watch: Williamson has averaged 29.3 points on 64 percent shooting in his last three appearances against the Cavs and is fresh off a 29-point, 7-rebound effort versus Dallas. Key statistical edges 1. Paint dominance: New Orleans ranks fifth in restricted-area scoring; Cleveland—with Mobley and Nance out—allowed 68 paint points to Chicago last week. 2. Pace clash: Pelicans’ recent streak has come at the league’s 4th-fastest tempo, while the Cavaliers prefer a half-court grind. Whoever dictates pace could decide the game. 3. Bench depth: Cleveland’s reserves averaged just 28.1 PPG over the last five contests; the Pelicans’ second unit has exploded for 40+ in three straight, led by sharpshooter Dyson Daniels. Betting odds and prediction Sportsbooks opened Cleveland as 8.5-point favorites with a 248.5 over/under. Given the Cavs’ injury list and the Pelicans’ scorching offense, expect a tighter contest and lean toward New Orleans +8.5 and the over. Final score pick: Pelicans 124, Cavaliers 120. SEO-friendly quick hits • “Pelicans vs Cavaliers odds: Cavs –8.5 spread” • “Pelicans vs Cavaliers injury report December 23, 2025” • “Pelicans vs Cavaliers prediction and best bets” • “Pelicans vs Cavaliers live score, updates, highlights tonight” Why it matters For Cleveland, a win keeps pressure on Central-division-leading Detroit; a loss drops them closer to the play-in line. For New Orleans, snatching a road victory against an Eastern playoff hopeful would validate the club’s December turnaround and fuel talk of a second-half surge. Expect playoff-level intensity in what projects as one of Tuesday’s most watchable NBA clashes.