Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - 1/2/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2020

Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH

TV: Fox Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Cleveland -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 209.5

Collin Sexton and the Cleveland Cavaliers (10-23, 5th in the Central Division) host the Charlotte Hornets (13-23, 3rd in the Southeast Division) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Cleveland opens this contest as 2.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 209.5.

The Hornets are covering the spread 47.2% of the time, having gone 17-19-0 ATS. Cleveland is covering 43.8% of the time, going 14-18-1 against the spread.

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/31/2020 Dylan Windler SG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Jan 2

Player Spotlight

Terry Rozier comes into this contest averaging 17.1 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.4 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 84%. Devonte' Graham averages 18.9 points per game in 34.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.7 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 38% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Collin Sexton averages 18.0 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.2 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Tristan Thompson averages 12.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.1 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 59%.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte averages 103.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.0 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 42.8 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per game, which ranks them 26th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 15.0 per game. The Hornets allow 110.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 26th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.4 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd and they give up 26.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 30th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 27th in the league with 104.3 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -9.0. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 19th in the league in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 21.2. The Cavaliers are 3rd in turnovers per game with 16.4. The Cavaliers surrender 113.3 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 25.8 assists allowed per contest and 6th with 43.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Hornets are 24th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.8, and their defensive rating of 112.9 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Charlotte is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 56%, which is 2nd in the league. The Cavaliers are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105, and their defensive rating of 114 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte +2.5

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