Game Summary
The Cavaliers (45-30) round out their season series with the New Orleans Pelicans (43-32) on Friday night in the first contest of a four-game homestand. Tipoff from The Q is set for 8:00 p.m. (ET).
After a solid three-game road trip, the Wine & Gold return to Cleveland to begin a four-game homestand after winning six of their last seven games.
Cavs Host Pelicans
From where to catch all the action to Friday's game notes, Cavs.com has you covered.
FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN
WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega
Learn more about Friday's matchup.
Join Wine & Gold Nation and get into the convo.
Great seats are still available!
Heading into Friday night's contest with the Pelicans, the Cavaliers are currently on a four-game home win streak. During that span of victories, the Cavs are averaging 122.0 points (.517 FG%, .403 3FG%, .813 FT%) and 26.0 assists. They have also won by an average of 14.2 points (122.0-107.8) and outrebounded their opponents by 10.2 boards (45.5-35.3) during that span.
Away from The Land, the Cavs have played very well. Before they returned home, the Cavaliers finished 2-1 on their recent three-game road trip after defeating the Charlotte Hornets, 118-105, on Wednesday night.
In their victory over the Hornets, the Wine & Gold had a season-low six turnovers, their seventh game with less than 10 miscues this campaign. Cleveland took control of the game with a 42-point second quarter and has now put up 40 points or more in a single period 10 times on the season (season-high is 43 twice: 4Q at NYK on 11/13 and 1Q at ORL on 2/6).
LeBron James posted his 46th double-double of the season (fifth-most in NBA) on Wednesday with game-highs of 41 points (14-26 FG, 4-8 3FG, 9-11 FT), 10 rebounds and eight assists to go with one steal in 37 minutes of work. It marked his 22nd career game with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds, including his second this month (3/19 vs. MIL).
James also passed Kevin Garnett (1,859 STL) for 17th place on the NBA’s all-time steals list and tied Michael Jordan (866) for the longest streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games. Over the last 23 contests (since February 7), James is averaging a triple-double with 30.5 points (.556 FG%, .388 3FG%), 10.0 rebounds and 10.1 assists in 37.6 minutes.
The Wine & Gold roll into Easter weekend with the goal of staying consistent and healthy in preparation for the Playoffs. Friday's opponent, the Pelicans, are going to be a challenging test for the Cavs.
Even after losing star center DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles injury earlier in 2018, NOLA currently owns the fifth seed in the cutthroat Western Conference. In fact, the Pelicans rattled off four straight wins from March 18 to March 22. However, the club has been on a two-game skein since then and now sit only one game ahead of the eighth-seeded Utah Jazz.
The Pelicans most recent game was a, 107-103, loss to the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. All-Star Anthony Davis led his club in both points and rebounds with 36 and 14, respectively. Point guard Jrue Holiday followed suit with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for a triple-double on the night.
Where to Catch the Action
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN
Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 La Mega
Programming Note: On Friday, FOX Sports Ohio is airing the Reds – Nationals game (4:00 p.m.) and the Cavs – Pelicans game (8:00 p.m.). To view TV listings, CLICK HERE.
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike and @chones22 on Twitter.
Probable Starters/Status Update*
#3 - George Hill
#1 - Rodney Hood
#23 - LeBron James
#32 - Jeff Green
#13 - Tristan Thompson
G
G
F
F
C
#11 - Jrue Holiday
#9 - Rajon Rondo
#55 - E'Twaun Moore
#23 - Anthony Davis
#50 - Emeka Okafor
Status Update: (Cavs) - Kevin Love, (Concussion, Questionable), Kyle Korver, (Right foot soreness, Out)
Status Update: (Pelicans) - Rajon Rondo, (Right wrist sprain, TBD), Alexis Ajinca, (Right knee injury, Out), DeMarcus Cousins, (Left achilles rupture, Out), Frank Jackson, (Right foot fracture, Out)
*Subject to change.
Head-to-Head Matchup
As mentioned, this is the second and final meeting between the Cavaliers and Pelicans in 2017-18.
Cleveland has defeated New Orleans in each of their last three visits at The Q, winning by an average of 10.0 points (102.3-92.3) and limiting the Pelicans to just .399 shooting from the field over that stretch.
The Cavs did, however, drop their first contest to the Pelicans earlier this season on October 28 by a score of 123-101. In the loss, James tallied 18 points, eight assists and three rebounds while NOLA's Davis posted 30 points and 14 rebounds.
From an individual perspective, Kevin Love has had plenty of success when playing against NOLA. The forward has posted a double-double in 16 of his 23 career meetings against New Orleans, including in each of the last four matchups. In those previous four games against the Pelicans, Love is averaging 20.0 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.7 minutes. In October's contest between the Cavs and Pelicans, Love tallied 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Game Promotion
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Night
In partnership with Fight Colorectal Cancer and Cleveland Clinic, the evening aims to bring awareness to and support the fight against colorectal cancer. MORE INFO
On Deck
Following the Friday night's matchup with NOLA, the Wine & Gold continue their homestand on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks for a 6:00 p.m. (ET) Easter Day duel at The Q. Cleveland will then battle the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, April 3 and Washington Wizards on Thursday, April 5. The Cavs will then hit the road from April 6-9 as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, respectively. Cleveland will then round out their regular season schedule on April 11 against the Knicks in The Land.
Q Transformation
Before you make your way downtown for Friday's matchup between the Cavaliers and Pelicans, be sure to take note of the Huron Rd. lane closures that may effect your travels. For more information, CLICK HERE