Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview
In a thrilling Eastern Conference matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers (35-21) are set to face off against the Charlotte Hornets (26-30) on Friday at 7 p.m. EST in Charlotte, North Carolina. Cleveland will be looking to extend their impressive winning streak to seven games against the Hornets, who currently hold the tenth seed in the conference standings.
Game Odds and Team Performance
The odds, according to BetMGM, favor the Cavaliers by 5.5 points with an over/under set at 233.5.
Charlotte has found resilience against division rivals, sporting a 16-20 record in games played within the Eastern Conference and managing a solid 16-14 record in matches decided by a margin of 10 points or more. Cleveland has also performed well, boasting a 21-13 record against conference opponents, though they have faced challenges in closely contested games, holding a 2-3 record in matches determined by three points or less.
Key Statistics
Notably, the Hornets have been prolific from beyond the arc this season, averaging 15.4 three-pointers made per game, which surpasses the 13.9 three-pointers they concede to opponents. The Cavaliers excel offensively, averaging 119.8 points per game, which is 6.2 points more than the 113.6 points allowed by the Hornets’ defense.
This game marks the fourth encounter between these squads this season, with Cleveland securing a 94-87 victory in their previous matchup on January 22, where Donovan Mitchell led the team with 24 points.
Players to Watch
Key players to watch include LaMelo Ball, who is averaging 19.1 points per game for the Hornets with a shooting percentage of 40.0%, and Brandon Miller, who has been averaging 22.0 points over his last ten games. For the Cavaliers, Mitchell has been a standout performer, averaging 28.8 points, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals, while Sam Merrill has shown his shooting prowess with an average of 2.5 three-pointers made in his last ten games.
Recent Form and Injuries
Both teams come into this game with momentum; the Hornets are riding an 8-2 record over their last ten outings, averaging 112.8 points per game, while also showing proficiency on the boards with 48.1 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, are on fire with a 9-1 record in their last ten games, putting up an average of 123.0 points and shooting an efficient 51.5% from the field.
In terms of injuries, the Hornets will be without players Coby White (calf) and Liam McNeeley (ankle), while the Cavaliers will miss Nae’Qwan Tomlin (calf) and Max Strus (foot). This matchup promises to be an electrifying contest as the Cavaliers aim to keep their winning streak alive against a determined Hornets squad.
