The Charlotte Hornets (7-18) and Cleveland Cavaliers (15-11) meet Sunday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s NBA odds around the Hornets vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Cavaliers won 4-0
The Hornets lost 129-126 at home to the Chicago Bulls on Friday, just missing the cover as 2.5-point underdogs as the Over (229.5) cashed. Rookie F Kon Knueppel did his part, scoring 33 points with 9 assists, 5 assists and 5 triples, while F Miles Bridges had 32 points with 7 assists and 4 treys.
Charlotte has dropped 4 of the past 5 games, while going 2-3 against the spread (ATS) in the span. The Over against Chicago halted an 8-game Under streak.
The Cavaliers outlasted the Washington Wizards on the road Friday, winning 130-126, but Cleveland came nowhere near covering as 17-point favorites as the Over (246) cashed. G Donovan Mitchell rolled up 48 points on 17-of-31 from the field, and 8-of-15 from behind the arc. C Evan Mobley went for 23 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.
Cleveland has alternated outright wins and losses in each of the past 6 games, and it is just 3-5 SU since Nov. 24, with a 2-6 ATS mark with the Over and Under also alternating in the past 8 outings.
Hornets at Cavaliers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:24 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Hornets +425 (bet $100 to win $425) | Cavaliers -600 (bet $600 to win $100)Against the spread: Hornets +10.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -10.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Hornets at Cavaliers key injuries
Hornets
G LaMelo Bell (ankle) outG Pat Connaughton (calf) outG Tre Mann (knee) outF Tidjane Salaun (hip) questionableG Collin Sexton (quadriceps) outF Grant Williams (knee) out
Cavaliers
C Jarrett Allen (finger) probableG Sam Merrill (hand) outF Evan Mobley (calf) outF Larry Nance Jr. (calf) outF Max Strus (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Hornets at Cavaliers picks and predictionsPrediction
Cavaliers 119, Hornets 112
PASS.
The Cavaliers (-600) will set you back 6 times your potential return. It’s never a good idea to back such a heavy favorite, as you must lay $100 for under $20 of profit. You shouldn’t bet like that in the long term, but it’s especially risky behavior since the Cavs have been so very inconsistent this season.
The HORNETS +10.5 (-105) are a strong play on the road in this matinee action in Cleveland. While Charlotte is just 2-3 ATS in the past 5 games, it is 2-0 ATS this season as a double-digit underdog.
Conversely, the Cavs are just 2-6 ATS in the past 8 games, and 0-6 ATS as a favorite of 8 or more points.
The UNDER 232.5 (-110) is worth playing lightly in this afternoon tip-off. These day starts can sometimes mean teams are a bit sluggish, especially in the first half.
In fact, going UNDER 113.5 – FIRST HALF TOTAL (FanDuel Sportsbook) isn’t a bad play, either.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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