Charlotte Hornets (7-26) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-4)
January 5, 2025 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Cleveland Cavaliers -15.5; Over/Under: +221.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers meet Sunday in NBA action at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Here’s a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction. This article will include a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Pick.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets lost to the Pistons and Bulls, and they play the Suns, Lakers, and Clippers next. The Charlotte Hornets are averaging 105.8 points on 42.6 percent shooting and allowing 112.4 points on 46.5 percent shooting. LaMelo Ball is averaging 30.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Brandon Miller is averaging 21.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. Miles Bridges is the third double-digit scorer and Tre Mann is grabbing 2.9 rebounds. The Charlotte Hornets are shooting 34.3 percent from beyond the arc and 76.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Charlotte Hornets are allowing 35.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.8 rebounds per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Mavericks and Lakers, and they play the Thunder, Raptors, and Pacers next. The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 122.7 points on 50.4 percent shooting and allowing 110.8 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 23.4 points and 4.7 assists, while Darius Garland is averaging 20.4 points and 6.8 assists. Evan Mobley is the third double-digit scorer and Jarrett Allen is grabbing 10.1 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc and 77.6 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 36.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Hornets have lost each of their last 11 night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have won each of their last nine games.
- The favorites have covered the spread in seven of the Cavaliers’ last eight games.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Hornets have won six of their last nine games as underdogs against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The Cavaliers have lost seven of their last 14 games as home favorites against Southeast Division opponents following a win.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the Cavaliers’ last five games.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 home games against Hornets teams that held a losing record.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Dean Wade ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (6.2) this season.
- Jarrett Allen ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (68.8%) this season.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- Miles Bridges ranks 23rd amongst qualified players for FT% (88.0%) this season.
- Mark Williams is one of only four players to have made 8+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.4%).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for three-point percentage this season (40.6%).
- The Hornets rank 30th in the league for field goal percentage this season (42.6%).
- The Hornets have missed the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons – the longest active streak in the NBA
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction
The Charlotte Hornets aren’t a good team at full strength, but now they’re without Ball, Miller, and Mann. It’s hard to take the Hornets seriously with all of these injuries and the fact Bridges is the go-to- guy for everything. And even with all of that said, the Cavaliers are 29-4 SU on the season and 24-9 ATS. With a cover percentage of 72.7 percent, only the Thunder are better at cashing tickets for NBA bettors this season. The Cavs have beaten the Hornets twice this season and covered double-digit chalk in both games. There’s really only one way to go here, and that’s to lay the big line with the Cavaliers at home.
