Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers Free Prediction 12/18/19

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The Cleveland Cavaliers (6-21) welcome the Charlotte Hornets (13-17) to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavaliers are 3-point favorites and look to end a six-game home losing streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 213.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

Neither team was able to cover in their last game. The Hornets (11.5-point favorites) defeated the Sacramento Kings, 110-102, while the Cavaliers (12-point underdogs) were defeated by the Toronto Raptors, 133-113. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Charlotte game finished 2.5 points over the projected point total of 209.5, while the Cleveland game went 30 points over the projected point total of 216.

Charlotte dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 41.0 (above their season average of 23.7) and a free throw rate of 0.235 (above their season average of 0.189). Sacramento was 22.2 and 0.130, respectively, for those same stats. Cleveland, on the other hand, held Toronto to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below the 22.1 mark opponents have averaged against Cleveland this season). Cleveland was lifted by Collin Sexton, who recorded 25 points and five rebounds. Malik Monk played a key role for Charlotte with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets edged out the Cavaliers in this series last year, emerging victorious in three out of four contests. In the last game, Charlotte won 124-97. Charlotte’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Cleveland. The Hornets had a rate of 0.154, while the Cavaliers posted a mark of 0.067. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.

Hornets games have a slight tendency to go under the O/U total (51.7 percent). Charlotte comes into the game with records of 13-17 straight up (SU) and 15-14 against the spread (ATS).

Just over half of Cavaliers games have also finished under the O/U total. Further, Cleveland is 6-21 SU and 10-15-2 ATS.

Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams clash. Cleveland ranks 22nd in possessions per game (101.4) and Charlotte is 28th (99.6). Additionally, the Hornets, who rank 21st in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.190), could struggle to get to the line against the Cavaliers, who rank first in opponents’ FTA rate (0.155).

Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Pick

Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Cavaliers average 12.9 second chance points per game, which ranks 16th in the league. The Hornets rank 19th in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
  • Charlotte ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (12.1) while Cleveland ranks 28th (16.0).
  • The Hornets average 46.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks 18th in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank last in points allowed in the paint per game (52.7).
  • Charlotte ranks 17th in assists per game (23.6) while Cleveland ranks 28th (21.3).
  • Cleveland ranks 21st in steals per game (7.3) while Charlotte ranks 27th in steals allowed per game (8.7).
  • The Cavaliers rank seventh in three pointers allowed per game (32.0) while the Hornets rank 25th (35.2).
  • The Hornets rank 19th in points off turnovers per game (16.9) while the Cavaliers rank 29th (14.0).
  • Charlotte ranks 13th in blocks allowed per game (4.8) while Cleveland ranks last (7.0).
  • Charlotte is 3-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Cleveland is 2-3.
  • In games where they score above 100 points, the Cavaliers are 6-12 and the Hornets are 11-10.
  • Cleveland is 5-7-1 ATS at home, while Charlotte is 8-7 ATS on the road.
  • The Hornets have 9 overs and 6 unders in 15 road games.
  • The Cavaliers have 8 unders and 5 overs in 13 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Hornets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 2-3.
  • In their last five games, Charlotte has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Cleveland has 3 overs and 2 unders.
  • During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 101.0 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.4 points per game (11.4 below their season average).
  • The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 10.5 for the season.