The Charlotte Hornets (20-61) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (48-33) wrap up the regular season Sunday. Tip-off at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Hornets vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1; the home team is 2-0 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) while the Over is also 2-0
The Hornets haven’t waved the white flag down the stretch, winning 2 of the past 5 games outright as an underdog of 8.5 or more points, while covering at a 5-3 ATS clip in the past 8 outings. The Over has cashed in 5 straight, and 7 of the past 8 contests.
The Cavaliers topped the Indiana Pacers 129-120 Friday, covering as 2.5-point home favorites as the Over (232.5) cashed. The Over is on a 8-3 run for the Cavs, including a home-and-home with Charlotte in late March.
Cleveland heads into the finale 1 game back of the Milwaukee Bucks for the Central Division lead. The Cavs hold the tiebreaker should they finished tied. So, Cleveland has plenty to play for Sunday, although it must do so without G Donovan Mitchell (knee), the Cavs’ leading scorer at 26.6 PPG. G Darius Garland (back) is also doubtful — he is 2nd on the team with 18.0 PPG.
Hornets at Cavaliers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:57 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hornets +570 (bet $100 to win $570) | Cavaliers -820 (bet $820 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Hornets +13 (-110) | Cavaliers -13 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 209 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Hornets at Cavaliers key injuries
Hornets
- F Davis Bertans (Achilles) questionable
- F Miles Bridges (wrist) questionable
- F Brandon Miller (wrist) questionable
- C Nick Richards (heel) questionable
- F Grant Williams (ankle) questionable
Cavaliers
- G Darius Garland (back) doubtful
- G Caris LeVert (knee) out
- G Sam Merrill (neck) out
- G Donovan Mitchell (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Hornets at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 112, Hornets 105
Moneyline
The Cavaliers (-820) will cost 8.2 times the potential return. While the Cavs are still in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and a Central Division title, should it win, and the Milwaukee Bucks fall in Orlando, it’s way too risky. It’s a bad bet anyway, with not much reward, but it’s even worse with Mitchell, and likely Garland, both on the shelf.
PASS.
Against the spread
The HORNETS +13 (-110) have not gone quietly into the night, going a respectable 5-3 ATS in the past 8 games, including 3-1 ATS in the past 4 outings as a double-digit underdog.
The Cavaliers have plenty at stake, but it might come up just short, and it’s an uphill climb with the top two scorers potentially sitting out.
Over/Under
OVER 209 (-112) is a nice play in this regular-season finale in The Land.
Total bettors will be sad to see the Hornets go, as the Over has hit in 5 in a row for Charlotte, while going 10-2 in the past 12 outings.
For the Cavaliers, the Over has hit at an 8-3 clip in the past 11 outings.
Plus, the Over has cashed in both head-to-head meetings this season.
The windows are open, North Carolina!
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