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Free Picks: Charlotte vs. Cleveland Gambling Lines & Handicapping Preview

NBA Betting? Hornets vs Cavs Predictions

Friday night NBA basketball betting action sees the Charlotte Hornets taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Ohio. Cappers Picks provides free NBA basketball handicapping tips all season long.

Cleveland and Charlotte oppose each other for the 3rd time in the 2014-2015 season.

NBA Odds

Charlotte Hornets (18-25) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-20)
Friday, Jan. 23
7:30 PM ET
Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
FSOH
NBA Basketball Betting Lines: Cleveland -9.5
NBA Basketball O/U: 194.5
***2015 NBA BONUSES***
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While Cleveland has shown signs of inconsistency throughout the season, they’ll look to stay consistent and sweep the season series against the Hornets on Friday. Cleveland took the first matchup in 97-88 at home and then went into Charlotte and grabbed a 91-87 road win.

Charlotte

Winning 8 of their last 9 games, the Hornets have erased what looked like an abysmal season and turned into a potential playoff one in the weak Eastern Conference.

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Even though they sit 7 games under the .500 mark, Charlotte currently sits in a tie for the 8th and final playoff spot. They’ll look to continue their impressive stretch of basketball when they visit red hot Cleveland on Friday.

Charlotte is finding ways to win with their stellar defensive play. Allowing just 97.3 points against (7th), the Hornets are coming off one of their more impressive defensive stands of the season in which they allowed just 76 points to Miami. Charlotte held the Heat to 34.5 percent from the field.

As they get set to battle Cleveland, they’ll more than likely need to pick it up on the offensive end. Scoring just 95.3 points a game (26th), the Hornets need some players to start getting some production from Kemba Walker. Walker, who missed two games with an injury, went just 4 of 17 from the field against Miami. He also struggled his last time against Cleveland shooting 4 of 16.

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Even with just a 7-12 road record, the Hornets road play has improved mightily as they’ve won 4 straight away from home.

Cleveland

The acquisitions of J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov have proven to be two of the biggest moves made by Cleveland this season. With J.R. Smith boosting the offense and Mozgov’s presence causing problems for teams in the paint, the Cavaliers have hit their stride and are all clicking. Cleveland has won 4 straight and look dominate doing it.

Cleveland is doing it on both ends of the floor. The Cavs are forcing turnovers and holding the opposition to low shooting percentages during this win streak. On Wednesday, they forced Utah into 20 turnovers.

On the offensive side of things, dropped triple digits for the 5th straight time. With Lebron back and healthy, combined with Irving and Love producing, the Cavaliers have looked unstoppable at times throughout their past 4 games. With contributions coming in from J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov as well, this lineup is poised to do damage on Friday night.

Lebron brings in a successful record against Charlotte as well. He’s won 19 straight vs. Charlotte.

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As for Cleveland, it will look to continue it’s impressive home play. Inside Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland is 13-9.

NBA Basketball Trends:

  • Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
  • Hornets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
  • Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Cavaliers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games.

Free 4* NBA Basketball Pick: Charlotte +9.5

Cleveland’s recent hot play is getting a lot more attention than Charlotte’s impressive streak. The Hornets will need to turn this into a low scoring, slow paced game if they hope to have any chance.

Cleveland 96, Charlotte 93

Expect that type of game with the outcome coming down to one of the final possessions.

Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.

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By Tony M

Tony is new to Cappers Picks and has been betting on sports since the first day he turned 18. He is a 22 year old Cleveland native who lives and breathes Indians baseball. His dream is to be part of a championship celebration at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.