The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-30) will travel to Spectrum Center to square off against the Charlotte Hornets (34-41). The Hornets opened as 2-point underdogs. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 229.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets Betting Odds
In their last game, the Hornets were victorious over the New York Knicks, 137-128, while the Cavaliers were blown out by the Miami Heat, 98-79.
Charlotte dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.258 (above their season average of 0.231) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.608 (above their season average of 0.502). For those same stats, New York was 0.105 and 0.557, respectively. Cleveland, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.5 (above their season average of 19.9). Charlotte’s Kemba Walker played well, contributing 31 points and seven assists. Meanwhile, Cleveland was led by LeBron James, who had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Charlotte could put on a ball-control clinic in this showdown. Charlotte ranks first in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.0 percent), while Cleveland forces the fourth-fewest turnovers (12.9 percent). Moreover, the sweet-shooting offense of the Cavaliers ranks third in effective field goal percentage (0.547), while the Hornets are seventh-worst in the league at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.532).
Games including the Cavaliers have a slight tendency to finish over the projected point total (52.1 percent). Cleveland heads into the game with records of 44-30 straight up (SU) and 26-46-1 against the spread (ATS).
Games involving the Hornets also have gone over the O/U total 50.7 percent of the time. Additionally, Charlotte is 34-41 SU and 31-40-4 ATS.
Walker and Jeremy Lamb have played well over the last five games for Charlotte. Walker has averaged 25.6 points, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals, while Lamb has put up 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game during that span.
In their two matchups this season, the Cavaliers have won both. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 199 points, well under the projected point total of 217. Cleveland won 100-99 but was unable to cover as a 6-point favorite. Cleveland’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Charlotte. The Cavaliers had a rate of 0.536 while the Hornets posted a mark of 0.441. James put up a triple-double in the victory, with 27 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.3) while the Cavaliers rank 15th (16.3).
- Charlotte ranks third in rebounds per game (45.5) while Cleveland ranks 23rd (42.1).
- The Cavaliers rank 10th in assists per game (23.5) while the Hornets rank 27th (21.3).
- Charlotte ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while Cleveland ranks 16th (12.8).
- Cleveland ranks 13th in fast break points per game (12.6) while Charlotte ranks 26th (9.1).
- The Cavaliers rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while the Hornets rank 21st (5.1).
- The Hornets rank first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while the Cavaliers rank 14th (7.6).
- Charlotte averages 43.7 points in the paint per game, which ranks 19th in the NBA. Cleveland ranks 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.9).
- Cleveland ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (32.4) while Charlotte ranks 22nd (27.0).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Charlotte is 12-3 and Cleveland is 15-3.
- The Cavaliers are 43-17 when they reach 100 points, while the Hornets are 33-19.
- Charlotte is 17-20-1 ATS at home, while Cleveland is 16-21 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 20 of the Cavaliers 37 road games, while 21 of the Hornets 38 home games have gone over.
Betting Trends:
- The Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Hornets are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Cleveland has 4 overs and 1 under, while Charlotte has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 115.2 points per game (4.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.6 points per game (0.5 above their season average).
- The Hornets average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.2, up from 0.2 for the season.
