by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Mar 12, 2023
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Where to watch: BSOH, BSSE-CHA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Cavs -7.5
BetMGM: Cavs -7.5
Caesars: Cavs -7.5
Season record
Cavs: 42-27
Hornets: 22-46
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!
Cavs - Hornets preview, prediction and analysis
The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to take on the Charlotte Hornets in what promises to be an exciting matchup on Sunday. Both teams will be looking to secure a win as they continue their push towards a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers come into this game with a record of 18-27 and are currently 11th in the East. They've been playing well lately, winning three of their last four games. Their success has been led by their young core of players, including Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Jarrett Allen. Garland, the team's starting point guard, has been particularly impressive, averaging 17.8 points and 6.0 assists per game. Sexton has also been a key contributor, averaging a team-high 24.1 points per game.
On the defensive end, the Cavaliers have been solid, ranking 11th in the league in defensive rating. They've also been one of the best rebounding teams in the league, ranking third in total rebounds per game. Jarrett Allen has been a key factor in their rebounding success, averaging 9.8 rebounds per game since being traded to the team in January.
The Charlotte Hornets, on the other hand, come into this game with a record of 22-21 and are currently in eighth place in the East. They've been struggling lately, losing six of their last nine games. However, they've shown flashes of brilliance this season, with LaMelo Ball emerging as one of the top rookies in the league. Ball, the team's starting point guard, is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He's also been a key factor in the team's improved defense, averaging 1.6 steals per game.
The Hornets have also been getting solid production from their other key players, including Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward. Rozier is averaging 20.1 points per game, while Hayward is averaging 19.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Defensively, the Hornets have been inconsistent this season, ranking 21st in the league in defensive rating. They've also struggled on the boards, ranking 27th in total rebounds per game. However, they've been one of the best teams in the league at forcing turnovers, averaging 8.4 steals per game.
When these two teams faced off earlier this season, the Cavaliers came away with a 121-114 victory. Sexton led the way for the Cavaliers, scoring 27 points, while Garland added 22 points and 9 assists. For the Hornets, Rozier scored 22 points and Ball added 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
In Sunday's matchup, both teams will be looking to make adjustments and come away with a win. The Cavaliers will likely look to attack the Hornets' weaker defense and take advantage of their rebounding advantage. The Hornets, meanwhile, will need to limit turnovers and get solid production from their key players.
This game could come down to which team can execute their game plan better and make key plays down the stretch. With both teams fighting for playoff spots, this matchup is sure to be a competitive and exciting one for fans to watch.
Prediction: Cavs 117, Hornets 106
Prediction: Cavs 117, Hornets 106
Projected starting lineup
Cavs:
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Hornets:
PG: Terry Rozier
SG: Kelly Oubre Jr.
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: P.J. Washington
C: Mark Williams
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
