Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/19/2018

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Charlotte as 11.5 point favorites.

The Cavaliers head into this matchup with a mark of 7-23. They are 4th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -8.4 as they average 103.4 points per contest while giving up 111.8 per game. The Hornets have an overall mark of 14-15. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They total 113.8 points per contest and give up 111.8, which is a point differential of 2.0.

Valuable Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 14-16-0 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 14-16-0 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 16-13-0 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 16-13-0 against the over/under

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/11/18 F Tristan Thompson Foot is out indefinitely
11/26/18 G JR Smith Possible Trade is out indefinitely
11/16/18 F John Henson Wrist is out indefinitely
10/29/18 F Kevin Love Foot is out indefinitely

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson comes into this contest averaging 16.7 points per game while playing 25.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 87%. Rodney Hood averages 13.0 points per game in 28.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.1 assists per contest and 2.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker averages 24.9 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 6.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Jeremy Lamb averages 15.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 103.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -8.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 19.9 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 13.1 per game. The Cavaliers allow 111.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 24.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 7th in the league with 113.8 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 22nd in the league in rebounding with 43.8 boards per game, and 14th in assists per contest with 24.3. The Hornets are 30th in turnovers per game with 12.0. The Hornets surrender 111.8 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.6 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 46.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.6, and their defensive rating of 116.3 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league. Cleveland is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 1st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 10.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league. The Hornets are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.4, and their defensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Cavaliers/Hornets NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte -11.5

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