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Cleveland (24-20) at Charlotte (16-27)
- When: Jan 21 2026, 7:00 PM
- Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC, USA
- TV: ESPN
Cleveland vs Charlotte Preview & Prediction
Spread: Cleveland -2.5
Moneyline: Cleveland (-140)
Total: 238.0
Charlotte Hornets Betting Outlook
Charlotte finally looks like a team building momentum instead of just talking about it. The Hornets return home after a confidence boosting 3 and 2 road trip that featured statement wins over the Lakers and Nuggets. That is not a typo. They beat actual contenders and did it convincingly, capped by a 110 to 87 blowout of Denver.
For a franchise that has lived in rebuild purgatory for years, this trip mattered. It showed maturity, effort, and something Charlotte fans have not seen much of lately, consistency across multiple games. LaMelo Ball continues to set the tempo offensively, while Brandon Miller has quietly become the steady secondary scorer this roster desperately needed. Miller has been Charlotte’s most reliable option over the last week, and his improved efficiency has helped stabilize the offense.
Charlotte also tends to play faster at home, which matters with this total sitting in the high 230s. If the Hornets are comfortable pushing pace and making shots early, they can absolutely hang around in this spot. Their previous overtime win against Cleveland showed they are not intimidated by this matchup.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Outlook
Cleveland comes into this game with something to prove after getting embarrassed at home by Oklahoma City. That loss was not competitive, and it exposed some issues that have lingered beneath the surface, especially decision making and shot selection when things go sideways.
The absence of Darius Garland continues to loom large. Without him, the offense becomes more predictable, placing a heavier burden on Donovan Mitchell to create everything. Mitchell remains elite, but even stars have inefficient nights when defenses load up. Cleveland has also missed Sam Merrill’s shooting, which has tightened spacing and made half court possessions more difficult.
That said, Cleveland usually responds well after losses. They are still one of the better offensive teams in the league, and their ability to score in bunches keeps them dangerous even on the road. The Cavaliers also split the season series in December, so familiarity is not an issue here.
Betting Angle and Prediction
Cleveland enters as a small road favorite, and that feels fair given their urgency and overall talent edge. However, Charlotte’s recent form makes this anything but a comfortable spot. Expect a fast paced game with plenty of scoring opportunities on both sides.
The total is lofty, but both teams play best when the tempo is high, and recent matchups suggest points will not be an issue.
Cleveland escapes with a narrow win, while the game sneaks over the total in a competitive, offense driven matchup.
Final Score: Cavaliers 122, Hornets 118
Lean: Cleveland -2.5
Total: Over 238.0
- NBA Basketball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
