The Charlotte Hornets (7-18) hit the road to battle the Cleveland Cavaliers (15-11) in a lopsided Eastern Conference clash where the Cavs aim to capitalize on their home-court edge and Charlotte’s mounting injury woes. With the Hornets reeling from a four-game skid and missing their star point guard, this could be a bounce-back spot for Cleveland’s high-octane offense led by Donovan Mitchell. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. ET from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The arena, a modern 19,432-seat venue opened in 1994 and renovated in 2019, has been a fortress for the Cavs this season, where they hold a 9-6 home mark and rank top-5 in defensive efficiency at home.
Broadcast coverage includes FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (for Hornets fans) and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, with national streaming on NBA League Pass.
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Eastern Conference Rank | ATS Record |
| Charlotte Hornets | 7-18 | 5-8 Home / 2-10 Away | 12th | 9-15-1 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 15-11 | 9-6 Home / 6-5 Away | 7th | 12-13-1 |
The Hornets languish near the bottom of the East, with their seven wins mostly against sub-.500 teams. Cleveland sits comfortably in playoff contention, buoyed by elite scoring but tested by recent frontcourt
injuries.
Recent Team Forms
Charlotte’s defense has been porous, allowing 120+ points in four of their last five outings, while Cleveland’s transition attack (16.2 fast-break PPG) shines but falters in half-court sets without full big-man rotation. The Cavs enter on a slight uptick after a gritty road win.
Charlotte Hornets Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Hornets) |
| Dec. 12 | vs. CHI | L 126-129 | 48.2% FG, 36.8% 3PT, 14 TOs |
| Dec. 7 | vs. DEN | L 106-115 | 44.7% FG, 30.4% 3PT, 14 TOs |
| Dec. 5 | @ TOR | W 111-86 | 50.0% FG, 36.1% 3PT, 24 TOs (opp) |
| Dec. 3 | @ NYK | L 104-119 | 40.0% FG, 31.0% 3PT, 13 TOs |
| Dec. 1 | @ BKN | L 103-116 | 44.7% FG, 37.5% 3PT, 18 TOs |
Form Summary: 1-4. Averaging 104.8 PPG while yielding 113.0 PPG. Turnovers (14.6 per game) and rebounding deficits (41.4 RPG allowed) plague them, especially on the road where they’re 2-10.
Cleveland Cavaliers Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats (Cavaliers) |
| Dec. 12 | @ WAS | W 130-126 | 52.1% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 9 TOs |
| Dec. 6 | vs. GSW | L 94-99 | 34.6% FG, 23.8% 3PT, 12 TOs |
| Dec. 5 | vs. SAS | W 130-117 | 58.1% FG, 30.8% 3PT, 15 TOs |
| Dec. 3 | vs. POR | L 110-122 | 40.4% FG, 25.0% 3PT, 7 TOs |
| Dec. 1 | @ IND | W 135-119 | 51.0% FG, 35.0% 3PT, 9 TOs |
Form Summary: 3-2. Scoring 119.8 PPG but allowing 116.6 PPG. Mitchell’s heroics (career-high 48 vs. WAS) mask defensive lapses (112.4 allowed in losses), with rebounding at 44.9 RPG (11th league-wide).
Injury Report
Injuries are ravaging both squads, but Charlotte’s backcourt decimation without LaMelo Ball forces over-reliance on role players like Kon Knueppel. Cleveland’s frontcourt is thin without Mobley, but Allen’s probable return bolsters the paint.
Charlotte Hornets Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| LaMelo Ball | Out | Left Ankle; Bone Bruise |
| Pat Connaughton | Out | Right Calf; Strain |
| Collin Sexton | Out | Left Quadriceps; Strain |
| Tre Mann | Out | Right Knee; Bone Bruise |
| Grant Williams | Out | Right Knee; Surgery |
| Liam McNeeley | Out | G League – On Assignment |
| Antonio Reeves | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Tidjane Salaun | Questionable | Left Hip; Soreness |
Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries:
| Player | Status | Injury Details |
| Evan Mobley | Out | Left Calf; Strain (2-4 weeks) |
| Sam Merrill | Out | Right Hand; Sprain |
| Max Strus | Out | Left Foot; Jones Fracture Surgery |
| Larry Nance Jr. | Out | Right Calf; Strain |
| Chris Livingston | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Luke Travers | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Jarrett Allen | Probable | Right Third Finger; Strain |
Ball’s absence (19.4 PPG, 8.5 APG) cripples Charlotte’s offense; Mobley’s out (19.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG) tests Cleveland’s interior, but Allen (14.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG) should log heavy minutes if cleared.
Key Player Matchups
Without Ball, Charlotte leans on Bridges’ scoring bursts, but Cleveland’s perimeter defense (No. 4 in opponent 3PT%) could stifle them. Mitchell’s volume (31.3 PPG, league-high 100 threes) exploits mismatches.
Donovan Mitchell (CLE, 31.3 PPG) vs. KJ Simpson/Brandon Miller (CHA): Mitchell’s 48-point explosion vs. WAS highlights his takeover ability; Simpson (rookie) lacks experience, and Miller (Q?) struggles guarding elite scorers (1.2 SPG). Edge: Mitchell—expect 30+ points, 5+ threes.
Miles Bridges (CHA, 21.4 PPG) vs. De’Andre Hunter/Jaylon Tyson (CLE): Bridges’ athleticism (21.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG) tests Hunter’s length, but Cleveland’s wings force turnovers (Bridges 2.4 TOs/game). Edge: Bridges slightly—prop over 20.5 points if Miller sits.
Darius Garland (CLE, 6.2 APG) vs. Kon Knueppel (CHA, 18.6 PPG): Garland’s playmaking (18.6 PPG) overwhelms Knueppel’s on-ball D; Knueppel scores in spots (33 PPG high) but fouls prone. Edge: Garland—key for Cavs’ 26.8 APG.
Jarrett Allen (CLE, 14.3 PPG; P) vs. Ryan Kalkbrenner/Moussa Diabaté (CHA): If Allen plays, his paint presence (57.4% FG) dominates Kalkbrenner’s inexperience (rookie big). Diabaté (7.6 RPG) adds grit but lacks size. Edge: Allen—double-double likely.
Bonus Watch: Knueppel steps up sans Ball, potentially 20+ points in expanded role.
Series History
Cleveland owns a dominant all-time edge (79-51), winning eight of the last 10 meetings, often by double digits at home. Recent games feature high totals, with Mitchell feasting on Charlotte’s backcourt.
Last 5 Head-to-Head Meetings:
| Date | Result | Key Notes |
| Mar. 7, 2025 | CLE 118-117 @ CHA | Mitchell 24 PTS; Cavs rally |
| Jan. 5, 2025 | CHA 112-105 vs. CLE | Hornets upset; Ball triple-dbl |
| Nov. 24, 2024 | CLE 121-98 @ CHA | Mitchell 32 PTS, 50% 3PT |
| Apr. 10, 2024 | CLE 110-105 vs. CHA | Garland 21 PTS, 7 AST |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | CLE 116-100 @ CHA | Allen 18 REB; Cavs D clamps |
Trend: Cavs 4-1 SU, averaging 113.2 PPG. Last three in Cleveland hit Over; series unders in 60% of games this decade.
Betting Trends
Spread: Cleveland is 7-2 ATS as 9.5+ home favorites; Charlotte 5-5 ATS as 9.5+ road dogs.
Moneyline: Cavaliers -600 (85.7% implied win probability); Hornets +425.
Totals: Cavs games hit Over in 52% (13/26); Hornets in 48% (9/19), but injuries tilt Under (projected 228 points).
Game Odds
Charlotte Hornets 231.5
Cleveland Cavaliers – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 13, 2025
