Cavs vs Hornets: Preview, betting odds, TV channel

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a shaky ship right now. To their credit, they survived season-ending injuries to Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio, but an ongoing back injury to Darius Garland and mid-term injuries to Caris LeVert and Rajon Rondo have been too much, and the Cavs are 1-4 in their last five games.

They end their brief three-game homestand tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. This is their first meeting, and the Cavs have a 2-1 series advantage this year. It’s not absolutely insane that a Cavs slide sees these two in the mix for the same playoff seed, so securing the tie-breaker is important for both teams.

The Cavs host the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night looking to right the ship. What do you need to know about who is playing and how to bet?

The Charlotte Hornets are dealing with injuries of their own, with Gordon Hayward out indefinitely and multiple rotation players in-and-out of the lineup. They have lost 11 of their last 13 games, sliding all the way down below .500. To their credit it’s been a brutal stretch of games, and only a one-point loss to the Detroit Pistons last week was to a team not expected to make the playoffs.

Now they come to Cleveland fresh off a drubbing by the Milwaukee Bucks. LaMelo Ball, who made his first All-Star Team last month, will look to take advantage of a team that may again be playing without Darius Garland.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Hornets: Odds, spread, over/under

The Cavaliers (36-25) will host the Hornets (30-33) tonight. According to our partners over at WynnBet, the Cavaliers are favored by three points over Charlotte. The over/under point total is 217.5.

For reference, this is the fourth time these two teams have met this year. The point totals were 235, 223 and, last month, 203. Cleveland lost once, won by one once, and one by three once — in other words, even in their more healthier states that never fully covered a three-point spread.

Cavs vs Hornets: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Hornets starters: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington, Mason Plumlee

Cavs starters: Brandon Goodwin, Isaac Okoro, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

The Hornets’ key injuries: Gordon Hayward (out, ankle); James Bouknight (out, neck); Nick Richards (doubtful, foot); Jalen McDaniels (doubtful, ankle)

The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Rajon Rondo (out, toe); Caris LeVert (out, foot); Darius Garland (questionable, back)

Cavs vs Hornets: Prediction

The Cavaliers and their fans hope that Darius Garland is back tonight, as the Cavs’ offense is transformed when he is on the court. His ability to score at all three levels and set up Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley is dynamic, and for as well as Brandon Goodwin has played on a two-way contract, he can’t come close to replicating that impact.

The Hornets will struggle to score inside against the front line of Allen and Mobley, but they have a number of willing 3-point shooters. Not having Hayward hurts their overall playmaking, but Ball is one of the better “big creators” already and should set up teammates like Terry Rozier, P.J. Washington and Caleb Martin for 3-pointers. Kelly Oubre Jr. has also killed the Cavs at times this season.

Charlotte is reeling, but the Cavs have floundered without Garland as well. This game will likely come down to perimeter shooting; if the Hornets shoot over 40 percent, they win; if they are more like 30-35 percent the Cavs have a chance. If Garland plays the Cavs should roll, but without him it becomes a coin flip. In that scenario you take the points.

Prediction: Cavaliers 108, Hornets 106 [no Garland]

The Bet: Charlotte (+3.0), UNDER

Cavs vs Hornets: Where to Watch

Per usual, the Cavaliers will be relegated to local TV markets. Tune in to Bally Sports Ohio to check out the game, or to NBA League Pass for those located elsewhere. If you’re in the Hornets’ backyard you can tune to Bally Sports Southeast or Bally Sports South. The game tips off at 7:00pm ET.

Cleveland Cavaliers Upcoming Schedule

The Cavs need to hope Garland can be back and stay back, because the schedule from here is brutal. Seven of the Cavs’ next eight games are against playoff opponents, starting Friday in Philadelphia against the new-look 76ers. Jarrett Allen will have his chance to slow down Joel Embiid, something he couldn’t really do last time around.

Sunday will be the rare national television game for the Cavs, as they take on the Toronto Raptors at 7:30pm on ESPN. Then a brief respite against the Indiana Pacers before they go to Miami and to Chicago on a nasty back-to-back. Two wins in those five games would equal success.