The Cleveland Cavaliers (8-23) will travel to the Spectrum Center to clash against the Charlotte Hornets (14-15). The Hornets opened as 12-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 218.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports Carolina at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last matchup. The Cavaliers (9-point favorites) beat the Indiana Pacers, 92-91, while the Hornets (1-point underdogs) were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-100. The Cleveland game finished 35 points under the projected point total of 218, while the Charlotte game finished 2 points over the projected point total of 226.
Cleveland’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Indiana. The Cavaliers had a rate of 0.446 (below their season average of 0.497), while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.419 (below their season average of 0.530). Charlotte, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (15-18; 83.3 percent). Malik Monk fueled Charlotte with 19 points and five rebounds. Larry Nance Jr., meanwhile had a solid performance for Cleveland, putting up 15 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.
The Cavaliers won the most recent matchup 113-89 to even the season series at one. Despite the loss, Jeremy Lamb had a stellar game with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Cleveland had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.9 vs. 20.7). Charlotte, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (8.0 vs. 17.4). The two teams combined for 202 points, which was under the projected point total of 214, and Cleveland covered as an 8.5-point underdog.
Just over half of the Cavaliers’ games have finished under the projected point total. Cleveland holds records of 8-23 straight up (SU) and 14-16 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Hornets’ 29 games, 16 have finished over the total. Additionally, Charlotte is 14-15 SU and 16-13 ATS.
Charlotte could put on a ball-control clinic in this matchup. Charlotte ranks first in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 11.5 percent), while Cleveland forces the fourth-fewest turnovers (12.2 percent).
Cavaliers at Hornets ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets rank 18 in steals per game (7.551724137931035) while the Cavaliers rank 26 (6.741935483870968).
- Charlotte ranks sixth in points off turnovers per game (18.8) while Cleveland ranks 29th (13.5).
- The Hornets rank 14th in assists per game (24.3) while the Cavaliers rank 29th (19.9).
- Charlotte ranks 15th in blocks per game (5.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th (2.4).
- Cleveland averages 14 second chance points per game, which ranks 8 in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 18 in second chance points allowed per game (13.862068965517242).
- The Hornets rank sixth in three pointers attempted per game (33.9) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (25.4).
- The Hornets rank 16 in points in the paint per game (47.86206896551724) while the Cavaliers rank 27 (42.45161290322581).
- Charlotte ranks 20 in fast break points per game (11.310344827586206) while Cleveland ranks 27 (10.129032258064516).
- Cleveland ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (43.2) while Charlotte ranks 25th (46.6).
- Charlotte is 3-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Cleveland is 3-2.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Cavaliers are 6-12 and the Hornets are 14-14.
- Charlotte is 9-8 ATS at home, while Cleveland is 7-6 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 10 of the Hornets’ 17 home games, while 8 of the Cavaliers’ 13 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Cleveland and Charlotte are both 2-3 ATS.
- The Cavaliers have 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games, while the Hornets have 4 overs and 1 under
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.6, up from 8.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 112.8 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
