The New Orleans Pelicans and Cleveland Cavaliers will complete their four-game NBA Summer League schedules Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET. New Orleans enters at 2-1 after beating the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns, while Cleveland improved to 1-2 with a 90-73 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday. The top four teams in Las Vegas advance to the semifinals, so the Pelicans can strengthen their case by finishing 3-1 and improving their point differential. Cleveland has the best individual scorer in this matchup, but New Orleans has shown more balance and enters with an additional day of rest.
The Cavaliers are 3.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook with the total for this game set at 182.5 points.
Pelicans at Cavaliers prediction, preview
New Orleans recovered from a 105-92 opening loss to Minnesota by winning two games in three days. Kobe Bufkin has led the backcourt, averaging 21.3 points through three appearances after opening Summer League with a 30-point performance. He followed that with 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals against Charlotte before contributing 15 points in the win over Phoenix. Hunter Dickinson scored 21 points as the Pelicans erased an 18-point deficit against the Hornets, while Malik Dia supplied 18 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks off the bench against the Suns. Jaron Pierre Jr., Markquis Nowell and Jalon Moore have also delivered useful minutes, giving head coach God Shammgod several capable options rather than forcing the offense through one guy.
The Pelicans’ last two victories have also shown that they can win in different ways. New Orleans committed only seven turnovers against Charlotte while forcing 22, creating a 32-7 advantage in points scored off turnovers. The Pelicans then held Phoenix to 75 points, won paint scoring 40-26, and held the Suns to 6-for-30 shooting from three-point range. Summer League defensive numbers can change quickly from one game to the next, but New Orleans has generated steals, attacked in transition and received production from both its starting lineup and bench. That depth should matter against a Cleveland team whose offense has become increasingly dependent on one rookie guard.
Meleek Thomas has been one of the best players in Las Vegas. The No. 34 pick scored 20 points in his debut, followed that with 30 points, seven assists and four steals against Detroit, then erupted for 35 points on 14-for-23 shooting against Miami. Thomas is averaging 28.3 points through three games and has displayed more creation and playmaking than he was consistently asked to provide at Arkansas. He is comfortable operating with the ball, can score from multiple levels and has given Cleveland a reliable option late in possessions.
The concern is how much Thomas has needed to do for the Cavaliers. His 35 points accounted for nearly 39% of Cleveland’s scoring against Miami, with Jaxson Robinson finishing second on the team with 13. Cleveland dominated that matchup in the paint and finally delivered a complete defensive performance, but it previously allowed 99 points to Indiana and 103 to Detroit. Ryan Conwell, another second-round pick who could provide complementary shooting, missed Monday’s game with a hip injury. Cleveland has enough talent to win this matchup, especially if Thomas remains hot, but laying more than one possession requires its supporting cast to produce consistently.
Pelicans at Cavaliers pick, best Bet
Best bet: New Orleans Pelicans +3.5 (-110)
New Orleans has the stronger record, the deeper collection of reliable scorers, and a small rest advantage. The Pelicans have also played consecutive close games. They’ve displayed enough composure to overcome a large deficit against Charlotte and protect a narrow lead against Phoenix. Thomas may be the best player on the floor, but New Orleans should be able to pressure him with Bufkin, Nowell and Pierre while making Cleveland’s secondary options beat them. The Pelicans can win outright, and getting 3.5 points provides valuable protection in a matchup that should remain competitive.
