The Cleveland Cavaliers (35-21) and Charlotte Hornets (26-30) will meet in the NBA on Friday night. Tipoff from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina is set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Cavaliers are 5.5-point favorites over the Hornets on the spread (Cavaliers -5.5), with the over/under set at 229.5 total points. Cleveland is a -205 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Charlotte is +170 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 20.
Cavaliers vs Hornets Prediction, Picks
- Cavaliers vs Hornets pick: Kon Knueppel Over 18.5 Points (-115)
My Hornets vs. Cavaliers best bet is on Kon Knueppel over 18.5 points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Hornets NBA Friday Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -108 | 229.5 -112o / -108u | -205 |
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -112 | 229.5 -112o / -108u | +170 |
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets NBA Preview
The Cavaliers have posted a record of 2-1 in three matchups against the Hornets this season, with the last game these two played being a rock fight last month.
The Cavs won that game by a score of 94-87 on national TV — in a game where nobody could shoot.
These two split a pair of games in December, with the Hornets winning in overtime by a score of 119-111, and Cleveland responding with a 139-132 win eight days later.
The short-handed Hornets lost a tough one last night to the Rockets, despite leading by double digits prior to halftime.
Cleveland destroyed Brooklyn 112-84 last night, despite only scoring 10 fourth quarter points.
The Hornets are still dealing with their suspensions from a fight with the Pistons, which leaked into yesterday's effort.
Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges are still serving their respective suspensions and won't play tonight.
Injury-wise, Coby White (calf) and Liam McNeeley (ankle) sat out last night against Houston. As of this morning, their statuses had not been updated.
For Cleveland, Nae'Qwan Tomlin (calf soreness) sat out the Brooklyn game, as did Max Strus (foot), who has yet to play this season, but is ramping up.
Cavaliers vs Hornets Betting Predictions, Analysis
Kon Knueppel took a while to get going last night, but he draws a more favorable matchup against Cleveland here.
This season, Knueppel has scored 29, 20, and 21 against Cleveland — and in general, he's gone over this line in three of his last five games.
Not to mention, we can probably expect Charlotte to be cautious with LaMelo Ball's minutes in the second game of a back-to-back.
That, plus Bridges' absence and Knueppel's matchup has me liking over 18.5 points.
Cavaliers vs Hornets Best Bet
- Kon Knueppel Over 18.5 Points (-115)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this game.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline either.
Over/Under
My Hornets vs. Cavaliers betting prediction is on Kon Knueppel over 18.5 points.
Cavaliers vs Hornets Betting Trends
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