Cavaliers vs Hornets Picks, Predictions & Best Bets

• Cleveland enters as road favorites (-153) with a dominant 4-1 record against losing teams on the road
• The Under 237.5 (-115) presents strong value
• We analyze Cavaliers vs Hornets and recommend the best bets

The Charlotte Hornets return home tonight after going 3-2 on a West Coast road trip, highlighted by wins over the Lakers and Nuggets.

Next up? A date with Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip-off is set for 7 pm, ET (ESPN).

The Cavaliers arrive as road favorites following an impressive 117-115 victory over Philadelphia, where Jaylon Tyson erupted for 39 points to help overcome the absence of star guard Darius Garland. Cleveland’s 6th-ranked offense (119.6 PPG) faces a significant test without their primary facilitator, placing additional pressure on Donovan Mitchell to orchestrate the halfcourt sets.

This matchup presents multiple betting angles worth examining, from Cleveland’s road warrior mentality to the total points implications of two elite offenses meeting under unique circumstances.

Best Bets & Game Prediction for Cavaliers vs Hornets

Cleveland’s recent road form against struggling opponents provides the foundation for our primary wager.

Primary Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers Moneyline (-150) via BetMGM

The Cavaliers demonstrate exceptional consistency when traveling to face teams below .500, posting an impressive 4-1 record (.800) on the road against opponents with losing records over their last five such games. This situational dominance reflects Cleveland’s ability to maintain focus and execution away from home against less formidable competition. Charlotte’s struggles as home underdogs compound this advantage, as the Hornets have managed just 1 victory in 6 games (.167) when playing as home underdogs in recent contests.

Cleveland’s superior defensive structure, ranking 5th in Defensive Rating (112.4), should neutralize Charlotte’s offensive surge capabilities despite Garland’s absence. Mitchell’s expanded role as the primary initiator allows the Cavaliers to maintain their efficient ball movement while leveraging their elite assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0, T-6th).

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Get a $50 BetMGM Rewards Bonus & Up To $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets!

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: SBD1550

CODE: SBD1550

SIGNUP BONUS

GET $50 BETMGM
REWARDS POINTS

+ UP TO $1,500 BACK!

BET NOW

Total Points: Under 237.0 (-110) via Bet365

Despite both teams featuring top-7 offenses, historical head-to-head trends reveal a compelling betting angle that contradicts public perception. The Under has connected in 4 of the last 5 Cavaliers-Hornets meetings, representing an 80% success rate that suggests these teams consistently produce lower-scoring affairs than their season averages indicate.

This trend gains additional support from Cleveland’s defensive capabilities and Charlotte’s propensity for turnovers (15.5 per game, 24th). The Cavaliers’ ability to limit transition opportunities through superior ball security should slow the game’s pace and create more halfcourt possessions.

BET365
SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose or a First Bet Safety Net Up to $1,000!

Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only (18+ KY).

LOCK IN PROMO

CODE: DIME365

CODE: DIME365

SIGNUP PROMO

BET $5
GET $200

WIN OR LOSE!

CLAIM OFFER

Cavaliers vs Hornets Key Betting Trends

The following situational trends provide crucial context for Wednesday’s matchup, highlighting performance patterns under similar circumstances:

• Charlotte Hornets: 1-5 (.167) at home as underdogs over their last 6 games
• Cleveland Cavaliers: 4-1 (.800) on the road against opponents with losing records over their last 5 games
• Cleveland Cavaliers: 7-4 (.636) overall in their last 11 games
• Head-to-Head Under: 4-1 (.800) in the last 5 Cavaliers-Hornets meetings

Public Betting Insights

The NBA betting public‘s sentiment reveals interesting patterns that may present contrarian opportunities, particularly in the total points market where recreational bettors heavily favor the over.

Moneyline Market Analysis:
Cleveland commands overwhelming support from both casual and sharp bettors. 71.8% of tickets back the Cavaliers on the moneyline, with this sentiment amplified by 78.7% of the actual money wagered. This alignment between betting volume and dollar amounts suggests consensus agreement on Cleveland’s superiority.

• Cleveland Cavaliers: 71.8% of Bets, 78.7% of Money
• Charlotte Hornets: 28.2% of Bets, 21.3% of Money

Spread Market Dynamics:
The point spread presents a more balanced picture, with Charlotte receiving 50.1% of tickets while Cleveland attracts 52.0% of the money. This near-even split indicates oddsmakers have set an efficient line that divides public opinion.

• Charlotte Hornets: 50.1% of Bets, 48.0% of Money
• Cleveland Cavaliers: 49.9% of Bets, 52.0% of Money

Total Points Market – Contrarian Opportunity:
The most significant betting pattern emerges in the total points market, where recreational bettors demonstrate heavy bias toward the over. A staggering 81.1% of all tickets target the over, supported by 83.4% of the total money wagered. This lopsided public backing directly contradicts our under recommendation, creating potential value for contrarian bettors who recognize the historical head-to-head scoring trends.

• Over: 81.1% of Bets, 83.4% of Money
• Under: 18.9% of Bets, 16.6% of Money

Cavaliers vs Hornets Team Stats

Who has the edge tonight in Charlotte?

Cavaliers vs Hornets Injury Report

Impact Analysis:

Garland’s absence remains the primary storyline, forcing Cleveland to rely heavily on Mitchell’s playmaking. While Charlotte is missing Mason Plumlee, they benefit from having stars LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges healthy and active, providing a significant continuity advantage over the short-handed Cavaliers.

Cavaliers vs Hornets Odds

Odds as of January 21, 2026, 8:18 PM UTC from consensus odds.

The current moneyline pricing implies a 57.96% win probability for Cleveland (vig-free), while Charlotte holds a 42.04% implied chance of securing the upset victory. A $20 wager on the Cavaliers’ moneyline at -153 would return $13.07 in profit for a total payout of $33.07. Conversely, backing the underdog Hornets at +128 with a $20 bet would yield $25.60 in profit, totaling $45.60 if Charlotte pulls off the home victory.

Line Movement Analysis:

Significant market movement has occurred since opening, with the Cavaliers’ moneyline shifting from -142 to -153 and their spread expanding from -2.5 to -3.5. The total points line has also increased from 235.5 to 237.5, indicating heavy action on the over despite our contrarian under recommendation.

These adjustments suggest sharp money has backed Cleveland more aggressively than initially anticipated, possibly due to their strong road record against struggling teams or confidence in Mitchell’s ability to manage increased responsibilities without Garland. The total’s upward movement reflects public perception of two elite offenses, though historical head-to-head trends suggest this optimism might be misplaced.