Cleveland Cavaliers @ Charlotte Hornets - December 7, 2024

As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to face off against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center, all signs point to a favorable outcome for the Cavaliers. With a current record of 20-3 and riding a three-game winning streak, they are not only positioned as -11.5-point favorites but also come into this matchup with an impressive overall performance this season.

The Cavaliers have demonstrated their offensive prowess by averaging 121.8 points per game on an efficient 51% shooting from the field and hitting 40.3% from beyond the arc. Their ability to generate assists (28 per game) indicates a well-coordinated offense that thrives on ball movement and finding open shots. This efficiency has contributed significantly to their success, especially when considering their recent victory over the Nuggets, where they scored 126 points while covering a -4-point spread.

In contrast, the Hornets have struggled offensively this season, managing just 107.3 points per game on a subpar shooting percentage of 42.5%. Their reliance on three-point shooting has been evident with a conversion rate of only 36.3%, which is far below what’s needed to keep pace with Cleveland’s high-octane offense. The Hornets’ last outing saw them fall short against the Knicks, losing by a wide margin and failing to cover as +14.5-point underdogs.

Defensively, both teams exhibit contrasting performances as well. The Cavaliers allow opponents to score an average of around 112 points per game while securing about 43 rebounds and generating over nine steals each contest—indicative of their aggressive defensive strategy aimed at creating turnovers (13 per game). On the other hand, Charlotte’s defense has been porous; they surrender approximately 115 points per game while grabbing nearly 46 rebounds but struggle significantly with turnovers (16 per game), which can lead to easy scoring opportunities for Cleveland.

Given these statistics, I predict that Cleveland will not only win but also cover the spread comfortably against Charlotte’s struggling squad. While oddsmakers set an Over/Under total at 222 for this matchup, I lean towards expecting it to go UNDER based on both teams’ recent trends—Cleveland has seen four of its last six games go UNDER while Charlotte has mirrored that pattern in four out of its last six contests.

Overall, expect Cleveland’s combination of offensive firepower and solid defense to overwhelm Charlotte in this contest. The numbers suggest that unless there’s an unforeseen shift in momentum or performance levels from either team—particularly from Charlotte—the odds favor another resounding win for the Cavaliers as they continue their quest for dominance in this early part of the NBA season.