NBA 2025-2026: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction

Cleveland Cavaliers

Home Team
73.2%
119.3 pts
VS

Charlotte Hornets

Away Team
26.8%
109.6 pts

Key Prediction Insights

The Cleveland Cavaliers are projected to come out on top against the Charlotte Hornets with a solid 73.2% probability. The expected final score suggests a victory for Cleveland at 119.3 to Charlotte's 109.6. The Cavaliers' starting five includes Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, De'Andre Hunter, and Jarrett Allen, while the Hornets are set to start KJ Simpson, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

Game Analysis

In their last three games, the Cavaliers have shown a mixed performance with two significant wins over the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs, scoring 130 points in both victories. However, they did face a setback against the Golden State Warriors, managing only 94 points in a close loss. This indicates a potent offensive capability, especially when considering Donovan Mitchell's stellar offensive rating of 124.4 and his average of 31.25 points per game. On the other hand, the Charlotte Hornets have been struggling, with two losses against the Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets, despite a strong showing in their win over the Toronto Raptors. The Hornets' offense has been inconsistent, with standout performances from Miles Bridges, who averages 21.4 points per game, and Kon Knueppel with an offensive rating of 113.7. However, their defensive vulnerabilities, highlighted by high defensive ratings across the board, could be a critical weakness against the Cavaliers' offensive prowess.

Final Prediction

The Cavaliers have an edge due to their recent offensive form and the standout performances from Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. With a higher predicted score and recent high-scoring games, Cleveland seems poised to take advantage of Charlotte's defensive lapses. A key factor to watch will be how the Hornets' defense handles the Cavaliers' attacking threats, particularly Mitchell, who has been in exceptional form.