NBA Prop Bets: Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers (February 20, 2026)
The Cleveland Cavaliers (35-21) face the Charlotte Hornets (26-30) at Spectrum Center. Let's take a look at the NBA Prop Bets for Friday's matchup. The Cavaliers opened as 4.5-point favorites but the spread has since moved to 5.5, leaving the Cavaliers at -218 and Hornets at +180. The total points line is set at 229.5, with OVER at -105 and UNDER at -115, meaning the implied expected score for the game is 118-112 Cleveland.
- The Hornets (-108) have a 34-22-0 ATS record this season, while the Cavaliers (-112) hold a record of 24-32-0.
- The Hornets have a 21-35-0 O/U record this season (meaning 21 games have gone over the total points line and 35 have gone under). The Cavaliers have a 26-30-0 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Hornets are averaging 115.4 points per game this season (T15th in the league). Comparatively, the Cavaliers are averaging +4.4 more at 119.8 points (2nd).
- Defensively, the Hornets are giving up 113.6 points per game this season (10th in the league), while the Cavaliers are giving up an average of 115.3 points (16th).
Game Style
What do the stats tell us about the style of basketball these teams are playing this season?
Pace
- The Hornets currently rank 25th for pace this season, recording 97.7 possessions per game. Alternatively, the Cavaliers sit 9th on that scale with 100.9 possessions per contest.
Field Goal Split
- Looking at field goal splits, 46.7% of the Hornets' field goal attempts come from three point range (4th in the league), leaving 53.3% from two. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers' opponents are taking 42.0% of their attempts from three (20th) and 58.0% from two.
- Comparatively, Cleveland takes 44.7% of shots from three (5th), leaving 55.3% from two, while Charlotte's opponents are attempting 40.0% from three (7th) and 60.0% from two.
Beyond the Arc
- In terms of made three-pointers, the Hornets are shooting 37.2% from deep in 2025/26 (5th in the NBA), compared to the Cavaliers who are making 35.8% of their attempts (15th).
- On the opposite end, Charlotte is holding opponents to 36.3% of their three-point attempts (20th), while Cleveland's opponents are hitting 37.0% of their shots (26th).
Ball Protection
- The Hornets are committing 15.9 turnovers per game this season, ranking 29th in the league. The Cavaliers may be well placed to take advantage of those numbers given they're forcing 15.8 turnovers per contest (7th).
- Flipping that script, Charlotte is forcing 12.5 turnovers (29th), while Cleveland is committing 14.4 (13th).
Crashing the Boards
- Charlotte is pulling down 46.0 rebounds per game this season (6th in the league), including 12.4 offensive boards (7th). Conversely, Cleveland's opponents are averaging 43.8 rebounds (15th), 11.5 of which have come on the offensive end (17th).
- Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are averaging 44.8 rebounds (11th) and 12.1 offensive rebounds (10th), while the Hornets are allowing 39.4 and 10.2, ranking 1st and T2nd.
Back-to-backs
- Notably, the Hornets are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
- Charlotte holds an 8-3 W-L record on the second leg of a back-to-back this season, as well as a 9-2-0 ATS record and 2-9-0 O/U record.
- Additionally, Cleveland has a 6-4 W-L record, 3-7-0 ATS record and 5-5-0 O/U record against teams playing the second leg of a back-to-back this season.
- Notably, the Cavaliers are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
- Notably, the Hornets and Cavaliers are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
First Quarter Winner
Charlotte is +124 to win the first quarter, while Cleveland is -148. Here are their first quarter records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 26-26-4 | 13-11-3 | 13-15-1 | 9-5-0 | 17-21-4 | 7-3-0 |
| Cleveland | 28-25-3 | 13-15-2 | 15-10-1 | 24-18-2 | 4-7-1 | 5-5-0 |
First Half Winner
Charlotte is +142 to win the first half and Cleveland is -170. Here are their first half records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 28-26-2 | 14-13-0 | 14-13-2 | 8-4-2 | 20-22-0 | 6-3-1 |
| Cleveland | 27-29-0 | 14-16-0 | 13-13-0 | 24-20-0 | 3-9-0 | 8-2-0 |
HT/FT
Charlotte is +230 to complete the HT/FT double. Conversely, Cleveland is -130.
- The Hornets have completed the HT/FT double in 35.7% of games this season, while the Cavaliers have completed the HT/FT double in 42.9% of games.
To Go To Overtime
Friday's matchup is +1500 to go to overtime.
- The Hornets have played in three games that went to overtime this season, while the Cavaliers have appeared in two.
Both Teams 110+
- Both teams have scored 110+ points in 25 of Charlotte's 56 games this season. Meanwhile, 34 of Cleveland's 56 games have seen both squads reach that number.
Last Time They Met
Cleveland recorded a 94-87 victory over Charlotte at Spectrum Center when these teams last met on January 21. Despite being on the losing side, Kon Knueppel was prominent on that day, recording 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Cavaliers have now won three straight at Spectrum Center against the Hornets.
NBA Injury News – Cleveland Cavaliers @ Charlotte Hornets (February 20, 2026)
The Cavaliers listed Mobley as OUT for Friday's (Feb. 20) game against the Hornets.
The Cavaliers said on Wednesday (Feb. 18) that Strus is still not cleared for contact. He can be deemed as week-to-week.
The Cavaliers listed Tomlin as Probable for Friday's (Feb. 20) game against the Hornets.
The Hornets listed White as OUT for Friday's (Feb. 20) game versus the Cavaliers.
The Hornets listed Williams as OUT for Friday's (Feb. 20) game versus the Cavaliers.
The Hornets listed McNeeley as OUT for Friday's (Feb. 20) game versus the Cavaliers.
