CLEVELAND, Ohio – After suffering their first loss of the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers return home to face the New Orleans Pelicans today – Wednesday, Nov. 20 – at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The matchup is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.
This game will be broadcast live on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (formerly Bally Sports Ohio) with tipoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Fans who have parted ways with their cable provider can catch the game at no cost by taking advantage of streaming alternatives like DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial. FuboTV is also offering a free trial and $20 off your first month. SlingTV is offering half off your first month.
After dancing frogs and jubilant celebrations filled their postgame traditions for weeks, the Cavs (15-1) put their perfection to the test in a true measuring stick matchup against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.
Falling behind as many as 21 points, a furious second-half comeback fell short as the Cavs suffered their first loss of the season in a 120-117 thriller at TD Garden. Cleveland cut the lead to two five times, but were unable to fully pull even in the Eastern Conference semifinals rematch.
The Cavs’ 15-0 record heading into the matchup was the greatest start in franchise history, and tied for the second-best start in NBA history.
Close calls, comebacks, game-winners and ruthless routs. The stretch of consecutive victories had a little bit of everything as the Cavs slowly caught the attention of the NBA.
That winning streak is now history as they turn the page until their next crack at the defending NBA champions at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Dec. 1.
Despite going 10-of-29 (34.5%) from deep against the Celtics, the Cavs tout the best 3-point shooting percentage at 41.5%. They will have a much more favorable matchup against the Pelicans from beyond the arc. Cleveland also has the best overall shooting percentage at 52.2%.
Donovan Mitchell went into takeover mode in the final minutes in Boston, tallying 18 points in the fourth as he finished with 35 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Mitchell is averaging a team-high 24.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 46.9% from the field. He notched 29 points against the Pelicans earlier this month.
Darius Garland slushed through his toughest game of the season against Boston. After bursting back onto the scene in the previous weeks, the point guard was held to a putrid 3-of-21 (14.3%) from the field, finishing with eight points and seven assists.
Garland is averaging 21.4 points, 7.0 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 52.5% from the field. Heading into the Boston matchup, he had scored 25 or more points in three of his last five games.
Garland will have to wait another game to find retribution on the court as he has been ruled out with left groin soreness.
Power forward Evan Mobley continued his strong play against the Celtics with 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists while shooting 61.5% from the field.
Mobley, who has notched 22 or more points in three of his last five games, is averaging 18.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 57.1% from the field, which is the 12th-highest percentage in the NBA.
Jarrett Allen squeezed out another double-double, tallying 10 points and 11 rebounds. The center is averaging 14.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 66.2% from the field, which is the second-highest percentage in the NBA.
As deep as the Cavs have been all season, at times running nearly their entire bench, head coach Kenny Atkinson elected for just an eight-man rotation against the Celtics. Cleveland was missing key role players in Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade.
The Cavs bench still outscored Boston’s reserves, 36-20. Ty Jerome (10), Georges Niang (11) and Craig Porter Jr. (15). contributed to the total.
Cleveland is 8-0 at home this season. The Cavs outlasted the Pelicans, 131-122, in an earlier matchup this month.
Watch Cavs vs. Pelicans for free on DirecTV Stream
The Pelicans (4-11) are coming off their sixth consecutive road loss. Their latest defeat was a 132-91 rout courtesy of the Dallas Mavericks.
New Orleans lost nine of 10 games at one point this season as they continue to spiral into the bottom of the standings of the Western Conference. That tailspin is fueled by a litany of injuries. New Orleans will be missing nine players tonight, including eight of their top nine scorers.
In addition to being the only team in the NBA to average fewer than 100 points per game on the road, the Pelicans have mustered 105 or fewer points in six straight games overall and have an extremely susceptible 3-point defense (29th in the NBA). Two bad ingredients that could come together for a long night on Wednesday.
Their main loss, star power forward Zion Wiliamson (hamstring injury), has not played since Nov. 6. He averages 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 45.2% from the field.
Small forward Brandon Ingram has carried the load, tallying 24 or more points in three of his last five games. Ingram is averaging 23 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 47% from the field. Ingram nabbed 20 points against the Cavs in the earlier meeting but will also miss the rematch due to a bilateral ankle sprain.
Veteran CJ McCollum (thigh) is nearing his return, but will be out for the tilt. The shooting guard is averaging 18.8 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 44.6% from the field.
Jordan Hawkins (back) also continues his recovery back to the hardwood. Hawkins is averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists whiles shooting 40.8% from the field.
Shooting guard Brandon Boston, one of their few healthy players, has notched 12.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 43.5% from the field.
Center Yves Missi has had success in the starting lineup, averaging 6.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 53.3% from the field.
Both teams are playing the second night of back-to-back games.
Watch Cavs vs. Pelicans for free on FuboTV
Cavs vs. Pelicans Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland (left groin soreness), Emoni Bates (G-League two-way), Caris LeVert (left knee inflammation), Sam Merrill (left ankle injury management), Isaac Okoro (left ankle strain), Max Strus (right ankle sprain) and Dean Wade (left ankle sprain) are all out.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado (left hamstring strain), Jordan Hawkins (low back strain), Brandon Ingram (bilateral ankle sprain), Herbert Jones (right shoulder strain), CJ McCollum (right adductor strain), Trey Murphy III (right hamstring injury management), DeJounte Murray (left hand fracture), Jaylen Nowell (not with team) and Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) are all out.
Who is announcing Cavs vs. Pelicans?
John Michael (play-by-play) and Brad Daugherty (analyst) will be the announcers while Serena Winters reports courtside.
What are the latest odds for Cavs vs. Pelicans?
Moneyline: CLE (-1000), NOP: (+650)
Spread: CLE: (-13.5), NOP: (+10.5)
Over/Under: 221.5
Here’s more information on how to watch Cavs vs. Pelicans on TV or streaming services:
What: NBA basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse | Cleveland, Ohio
Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial and $20 off first month) DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (half off first month)
Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios