Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets March 12 Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27) look to rebound from a loss on Friday against the Miami Heat with a quick turnaround against the Charlotte Hornets (22-47) on Sunday afternoon. Cleveland dropped a 119-115 decision to the Heat and are now 2.5 games back of the Philadelphia 76ers for third in the Eastern Conference. They're three games clear of the Brooklyn Nets in fourth.

Charlotte, 14th in the East, is coming off of a 119-111 loss to the Utah Jazz but are a surprising 6-4 in their last 10 games. Those wins, however, have come against the Detroit Pistons (x2), San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks. Don't be fooled by their recent record.

Cavaliers Betting Preview

Donovan Mitchell scored 42 points in Cleveland's loss to Miami on Friday night. The first-year Cavs shooting guard is one of the league's top scorers this season and is taking his game to another level as of late. Mitchell, averaging 27.1 PPG, has topped 40 points in three of Cleveland's last five games.

Cleveland has the league's third-best defensive rating (111.3). Prior to allowing 119 points to the Heat, Cleveland kept its opponents to 100, 114, and 90 points in its prior three games. The Cavs rank 25th in PPG at 112, but have the fifth-best three-point shooting percentage in the Eastern Conference.

Cleveland and Charlotte met once this season, with the Cavs winning 132-122 in overtime in a game earlier this season. Jarrett Allen is doubtful for Sunday's game with an eye injury, while Darius Garland is a game-time decision with a quadriceps injury suffered in last Wednesday's game against the Heat.

Hornets Betting Preview

Charlotte ranks 26th in PPG at 111.8 this season, which is just behind the Cavaliers. They're a much worse team defending however, as evidenced by their 115.9 defensive rating. Charlotte is also last place in the league in true shooting percentage and rank 29th in three-point shooting.

Terry Rozier is leading the Hornets with 21.3 PPG, while Kelly Oubre Jr. ranks second with 19.1 PPG. Forward Cody Martin is a game-time decision for Charlotte.

Cavaliers vs. Hornets Betting Odds And Prediction

The Cavaliers are -8.5 point favorites tonight and -334 moneyline favorites.

Charlotte is 11-21 at home this season, so don't expect an upset against a Cleveland team looking to rebound after a tough loss to Miami. The Hornets are also playing on no rest while the Cavs had Saturday off. Cleveland is just 14-20 on the road, but should win straight up against Charlotte.

Cleveland is 14-19-1 against the spread (ATS) on the road. Charlotte, meanwhile, is 12-19-1 ATS at home. 8.5 points is a lot, but the Cavs should cover tonight.