The Charlotte Hornets (34-41) go head-to-head with the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-30) at Spectrum Center. The game will air on NBATV at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 229.5 points with Cleveland set as a 2-point favorite.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets Free Prediction
The Cavaliers are trying to rebound after their 98-79 loss to the Miami Heat in their last game. Miami’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Cleveland. The Heat had a rate of 0.532 (above their season average of 0.522), while the Cavaliers posted a mark of 0.388 (below their season average of 0.549). LeBron James was Cleveland’s leading scorer with 18 points on 7-for-18 shooting.
In the Hornets’ last matchup, they were victorious over the New York Knicks, 137-128. The Hornets made 24 of their 28 free throws (85.7 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.608 (above their season average of 0.502). Kemba Walker was Charlotte’s high scorer with 31 points on 11-for-21 shooting.
Charlotte could put on a ball-control clinic in this battle. 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). Furthermore, the Cavaliers rank third in effective field goal percentage (0.547), whereas the porous defense of the Hornets ranks 23rd with an effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.532.
Cleveland holds records of 44-30 straight up (SU) and 26-46-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Cavaliers games, with 38 overs compared to 34 unders.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is 34-41 SU and 31-40-4 ATS. Just over half of Hornets games have also finished over the projected point total.
Walker and Jeremy Lamb have played at a high level over the last five games for Charlotte. Walker has averaged 25.6 points, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Lamb has recorded 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game during that span.
The Cavaliers have won both games against the Hornets this season, escaping with a narrow 100-99 victory in their last matchup. Cleveland was unable to cover as a 6-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 199 points, which was 18 points below the projected point total of 217 points. Cleveland’s 0.536 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Charlotte, who had 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
Prediction: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cleveland is 16-21 ATS on the road with 20 overs and 17 unders.
At home, Charlotte is 17-20-1 ATS with 21 overs and 17 unders.
Cleveland is 15-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Charlotte is 12-3.
When scoring above 100 points, the Cavaliers are 43-17 and the Hornets are 33-19.
Charlotte ranks third in rebounds per game (45.5) while Cleveland ranks 23rd (42.1).
The Cavaliers rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while the Hornets rank 21st (5.1).
Cleveland ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (32.4) while Charlotte ranks 22nd (27.0).
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).
The Hornets rank first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while the Cavaliers rank 14th (7.6).
Cleveland ranks 13th in fast break points per game (12.6) while Charlotte ranks 26th (9.1).
The Hornets rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.3) while the Cavaliers rank 15th (16.3).
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).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, up from 0.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 116.8 points per game (9.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.6 points per game (4.0 below their season average).
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