Hornets vs Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers limp into this rematch on a three-game skid while the Hornets arrive having lost seven of nine, including a 26-point drubbing in Detroit, but with the confidence of that 119–111 overtime win in Cleveland eight days ago. Cleveland’s injury report is still heavy in the frontcourt with Evan Mobley (calf) and Larry Nance Jr. out and wing shooter Max Strus sidelined, yet Mitchell (illness) and Darius Garland remain available to carry an offense scoring nearly 119 points per night, and Mitchell has historically produced well against Charlotte, averaging the mid‑20s in points across his career meetings. On the other side, Charlotte lists Collin Sexton as doubtful, LaMelo Ball merely probable with wrist soreness, and continues to miss versatile forward Grant Williams, which stretches their ball-handling and defensive options over 48 minutes. Even accounting for the Hornets’ recent upset here, the combination of Cleveland’s higher offensive ceiling, home court, and star power against a still-leaky Charlotte defense makes the Cavaliers the likeliest straight-up winner; however, the steep -400 price drags down the value, so this is more of a parlay anchor than a standalone hammer, earning a grade of B. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 22/12/2025 09:37am

Charlotte’s defense has been giving up around 118 points per game while its own offense sits near 114.5, and Cleveland games are landing just under 236 on average, yet both teams come in a bit battered and inconsistent, which nudges this lofty 238.5 total toward the downside. The Hornets just followed a 133-point, 24-of-49 three-point eruption against Atlanta with an 86-point clunker in Detroit, and they’re still down key rotation pieces like Grant Williams while leaning on a probable-but-banged-up Ball and a doubtful Sexton; Cleveland, meanwhile, is without Mobley and Nance up front plus Strus on the wing, meaning more small-ball lineups and potential fatigue for Mitchell and Garland late in games. Their only meeting this season in Cleveland finished 119–111 in overtime (222 in regulation), and Mitchell’s strong historical scoring vs Charlotte has not always translated into track meets, especially now that the Cavs’ rim protection and rebounding are thinned out enough to slow early offense but not necessarily to create transition. With both squads playing their third game in five days and depth compromised on each side, I lean to a slightly slower pace and some regression from recent shooting highs, making Under 238.5 at -110 a mild edge rather than a slam dunk, good for a B- grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 22/12/2025 09:37am

LaMelo Ball’s return to the lineup, alongside Miles Bridges and breakout rookie Kon Knueppel, gives Charlotte considerably more on-ball creation and perimeter punch than the version that still managed to beat Cleveland 119–111 in this building last week despite being without Ball, Sexton and Tre Mann. The Cavs are being asked to cover -9 while riding a three-game losing streak and playing without Mobley, Nance and Strus, which leaves Jarrett Allen as the lone true interior anchor and forces Mitchell and Garland into heavy-usage roles against a Hornets team that has already shown it can scheme them into inefficient nights. Even with Charlotte just 3–11 on the road and owning one of the league’s worst defensive profiles, their improved guard health, the prior OT result here, and Cleveland’s modest +1.7 point differential all point to a matchup more in the one- to two-possession range than a comfortable double-digit home win. I expect the Cavaliers to grind out a bounce-back victory, but I’m happy to grab the Hornets +9 at -110 and bet on their offense staying inside the number; this profiles as a solid value play at a B grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 22/12/2025 09:37am