It’s a battle of Eastern Conference foes on the hardwood on the shores of Lake Erie as the Charlotte Hornets travel to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night and we have you covered with our Hornets vs. Cavaliers prediction. Charlotte was walloped 112-86 on the road by Detroit in their previous contest Wednesday night, failing to cover the line as an 8.5-point underdog. Cleveland fell 136-125 to Chicago at home in their previous game Friday night, losing outright as an eight-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Cavaliers own a 79-52 advantage but the Hornets picked up a 119-111 overtime road win in the first matchup this season December 14. Read more about this Hornets vs. Cavaliers prediction! No air balls here—only slam dunks with our NBA Picks!
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Terms & Conditions Charlotte Looking to Earn Second Win Over Cavaliers This Month
Charlotte saw their two-game win streak snapped as they were drubbed emphatically on the road by the Pistons in their previous game Saturday night. The Hornets entered Sunday 9-19 on the year and stood fourth in the Southeast Division, seven games behind the Magic for the top spot. Against Detroit, Charlotte scored the game’s first six points for their biggest lead of the game but they didn’t maintain that momentum. The Hornets trailed by six after the opening quarter, by 10 at the half and by seven after three quarters before getting outscored 33-14 in the final stanza to wind up on the wrong end of a blowout. Charlotte shot 44.1% from the field, including six of 28 from three-point range, and lost the rebounding battle 61-43 in the game. Miles Bridges and Kon Knueppel (seven rebounds, five assists) each had 19 points to lead the Hornets in the win.
On the season, the Hornets are 21st in the league in scoring offense with 114.5 points per game. Charlotte is 17th in the league in rebounding as they collect 44.1 boards per contest and 17th in assists with 25.9 dimes per contest. The Hornets are 23rd in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 118.5 points per game. LaMelo Ball (19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.6 assists) is one of the team’s top scoring threats. Miles Bridges (21.1 points, six rebounds, 3.7 assists) and Brandon Miller (17.8 points, 3.6 assists) are solid contributors on the offensive end of the floor. Collin Sexton (15.5 points, 4.2 assists), Kon Knueppel (19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds), Moussa Diabate (7.9 points, 7.3 rebounds), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Tidjuan Salaun, Tre Mann (8.8 points), Pat Connaughton, Mason Plumlee and Liam McNeeley are looked to provide rotational depth for the Hornets. Charlotte is 24th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.3% from the field as a team. The Hornets are 6th in threes per game with 14.3 per contest and 17th in three-point field goal percentage by shooting 35.2% from beyond the arc. Charlotte is above average in free throw shooting, ranking 4th by converting 81.8% of their attempts this season.
Key Injury Report for Hornets:
Forward Grant Williams (knee) is out. Guard Collin Sexton (thigh) is day-to-day. Cavaliers Hoping to Get Back on Track
Cleveland dropped their third straight and eighth in the last 11 games as they were swept in a home-and-home set by Chicago Friday night. The Cavaliers entered Sunday night 15-14 on the season and stood second in the Central Division, 7.5 games behind the Pistons for the top spot. Against Chicago, Cleveland bolted to an 11-0 lead but couldn’t maintain that momentum. The Cavaliers were even after one quarter, trailed by 11 at the half and cut the margin to two after three quarters. Cleveland was tied at 115 midway through the fourth quarter but gave up a 7-2 run to trail 122-117 with 3:58 to play and never got even again. The Cavaliers shot 47.5% from the field, including 14 of 39 from three-point range, and allowed Chicago to shoot 52% in the game. Darius Garland led Cleveland with 35 points and eight assists in the loss.
The Cavaliers come into this one ranked 10th in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 118.7 points per game this season. Cleveland is 13th in rebounding as they grab 44.8 boards per contest and stand 10th in assists by handing out 26.9 dimes a contest this year. The Cavaliers are 19th in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 117 points per game this season. Donovan Mitchell leads the way in the scoring department for Cleveland as he puts up 30.7 points plus 5.5 assists a night on the year. Evan Mobley (19.1 points, 9.3 boards, 4.1 assists), Jarrett Allen (14 points, 7.5 rebounds) and De’Andre Hunter (15.1 points, 4.3 rebounds) are solid secondary options. Jaylon Tyson (13.3 points), Dean Wade, Larry Nance Jr., Lonzo Ball, Tyrese Proctor, Thomas Bryant, Sam Merrill (13.9 points), Darius Garland (13 points, five assists), Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Craig Porter Jr. and Luke Travers are other contributors in the Cavaliers’ rotation. Cleveland is 23rd in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.7% from the floor as a team on the year. The Cavaliers are 5th by knocking down an average of 14.8 three-pointers a night while they are 27th by connecting on 33.9% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Cleveland is below average at the charity stripe as they rank 23rd by shooting 77.4% from the line as a team.
Key Injury Report for Cavaliers:
Guard Max Strus (foot) is out. Guard Sam Merrill (hand) is day-to-day. Forward Larry Nance Jr. (calf) is out. Guard Donovan Mitchell (illness) is day-to-day. Forward Evan Mobley (calf) is out. Guard Craig Porter Jr. (illness) is day-to-day. Hornets vs. Cavaliers PickHornets vs. Cavaliers Spread Pick
Cleveland has sputtered of late with eight losses in 11 games entering this one, including a home defeat to Charlotte in overtime last week. The Cavaliers are the better squad and one has to think that they’ll be better than what we’ve seen of them lately. Watching the injury report is going to be important as there are some key names on it so watch as we get closer to tip-off. Charlotte is getting healthier but the fact remains that the team is just 3-11 on the road this year. The Hornets won the first meeting between the teams last week but Cleveland avenges that defeat by prevailing here.
Hornets vs. Cavaliers Over/Under Pick
Charlotte has stayed under the number in 18 of their 28 games entering Sunday night. The Hornets are 21st in the league in scoring offense, 21st in offensive efficiency and 20th in tempo as they average 99.4 possessions a night this season. Charlotte is 23rd in scoring defense, 27th in field goal percentage defense (49%), 15th in threes allowed (13) per game and 28th in three-point defense (38%) on the year. Cleveland stands 10th in the league in scoring offense, 11th in offensive efficiency and 7th in tempo with an average of 101.3 possessions per game. The Cavaliers have stayed under the number in 16 of their 29 games on the year. We needed overtime to see the teams reach 230 points last week. Take the under in this contest as the teams struggle offensively once again.
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