The Charlotte Hornets (4-12) meet the Cleveland Cavaliers (8-6) Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Hornets vs. Cavaliers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Hornets have dropped 9 of the past 10 games overall, while going just 2-7-1 ATS during the stretch dating back to Oct. 31. Charlotte won 112-105 at Orlando Monday in its most recent road game, snapping a 6-game skid away from home.
The Cavaliers opened the season with a loss, then they rattled off 8 straight wins and covers. However, Cleveland enters on a 5-game losing skid while going 0-5 ATS over that span.
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Hornets at Cavaliers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:18 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hornets +360 (bet $100 to win $360) | Cavaliers -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hornets +9.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Hornets at Cavaliers key injuries
Hornets
- G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out
- F Gordon Hayward (shoulder) doubtful
- F Cody Martin (knee) out
- G Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) doubtful
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (ankle) questionable
- G Ricky Rubio (knee) out
- F Dean Wade (knee) doubtful
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Hornets at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 115, Hornets 109
Moneyline
The Cavaliers (-450) will cost you 4 1/2 times your potential return, and while I fully expect Cleveland to snap its 5-game skid on its home floor, there is no value and plenty of risk betting a team that just hasn’t been playing well.
PASS.
Against the spread
HORNETS +9.5 (-110) is a strong play on the road. The Hornets have really struggled to score, but they have a good chance to keep it close against a Cavaliers team that has been equally inept lately.
Cleveland is 4-1 SU/ATS in 5 games at home this season, but it lost and failed to cover its most recent game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday. Charlotte has covered 2 of its last 3 games on the road, and it is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 trips to The Land.
Over/Under
OVER 221.5 (-110) is the lean here, although play it rather lightly.
The Over is 10-3 in the past 13 road games for the Hornets dating back to last season and is 5-1 in the past 6 games at home for the Cavaliers.
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