Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - 12/18/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH

TV: Fox Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Cleveland -1

Total/Over-Under: 215

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is the site where Collin Sexton and the Cleveland Cavaliers (6-21, 5th in the Central Division) will take on the Charlotte Hornets (12-17, 3rd in the Southeast Division) on Wednesday. Cleveland opens this game as 1 point favorites. The over/under is set at 215.

The Hornets are covering 51.7% of the time, having gone 15-14-0 ATS. Cleveland is covering 38.5% of the time, going 10-16-1 against the spread.

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/15/2019 Nicolas Batum SF Hand Game Time Decision
12/15/2019 Marvin Williams PF Knee Game Time Decision
12/14/2019 P.J PF Finger Expected to be out until at least Dec 27

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/13/2019 Dylan Windler SG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Dec 27

Player Spotlight

Terry Rozier comes into this contest averaging 16.6 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Devonte' Graham averages 19.6 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.4 assists per contest and 3.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Collin Sexton averages 17.7 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.0 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Kevin Love averages 15.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.6 rebounds per contest and 2.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte averages 104.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -6.6 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 15.4 per game. The Hornets allow 111.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 26th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 20th and they give up 27.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 30th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 28th in the league with 103.7 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -10.5. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 21st in the league in rebounding with 43.5 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 21.3. The Cavaliers are 11th in turnovers per game with 15.6. The Cavaliers surrender 114.2 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 50% shooting percentage and a 39% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 25.8 assists allowed per contest and 7th with 44.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Hornets are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 112.9, and their offensive rating of 106.2 is ranked 24th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 24th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Charlotte is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 5th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 8th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 57%, which is 2nd in the league. The Cavaliers are 26th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.7, and their defensive rating of 115.3 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 26th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte +1

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