Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions for Friday, February 20, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Cleveland Cavaliers will be on the road Friday night with the 7:00 PM matchup in North Charlotte, NC, against the Charlotte Hornets, and we have you ready to roll with our Cleveland vs Charlotte prediction. Cleveland has 34 wins and 21 losses this season. The Charlotte Hornets remain at home Friday, three games below .500 at 26-29 on the year. Cleveland is coming into this matchup riding a long winning streak after a 25-point blowout victory at home against Washington in their last outing. Charlotte comes into Friday playing well, having won their last five games, following a three-point home victory over Atlanta in their last game. Read more about this Cleveland vs Charlotte prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NBA Predictions!
Cleveland looks to stay hot
Offensively, Cleveland has been solid this season, scoring 120 points on 40% shooting from the floor. Defensively, Cleveland has held their own, allowing 115.9 points per game this season through 55 games played. Offensively, Cleveland was phenomenal in their last outing, pouring in 138 points on 54% shooting, and the Cavaliers knocked down 16 triples in the game. Defensively, Cleveland was the better team, giving up just 113 points on 40% shooting. The Cavaliers won the rebounding battle by 11 and forced 15 turnovers in the win. Sam Merrill led the way for the Cleveland offense in their last outing with 32 points on 12 shots.
Donovan Mitchell leads the Cleveland offense this season, averaging 29 points and 5.9 assists per game. James Harden is averaging 19.3 points per game this season for Cleveland despite playing in just three games thus far this season. Big man Evan Mobley averages 17.9 points and leads the Cavaliers, pulling down 8.8 rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for Cleveland:
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- Nae’Qwan Tomlin (Out) -Calf
- Max Strus (Out)- Foot
Charlotte tries to inch closer to.500
The Charlotte offense has been solid enough this season, averaging 115.7 points on 46% shooting from the floor. Defensively, Charlotte is allowing 113.8 points per game this season and has given up an average of 105 points per game over its last four wins. Offensively, Charlotte did just enough in their last outing, scoring 110 points, including 58 in the first half, on 38% shooting, and the Hornets knocked down 19 triples in the game. Defensively, Charlotte was the better team, holding Atlanta to 107 points, as Atlanta shot 44% from the floor. Charlotte pulled in 50 rebounds and forced 13 turnovers in the win. Brandon Miller led the show for the Charlotte offense with 31 points on 26 shots.
Brandon Miller leads the Charlotte offense this season, averaging 20.6 points per game. LaMelo Ball is second on the team, averaging 19.3 points to go along with the team's leading 7.4 assists. Kon Knueppel averages 18.9 points, and Miles Bridges is 4th on the team, averaging 18.2 points per game.
Key Injury Report for Charlotte:
- Coby White (Out) – Calf
- Liam McNeeley (Out) – Ankle
- Moussa Diabate (Out) – Suspension
- Miles Bridges (Out) - Suspension
Cleveland vs Charlotte Pick
- Cleveland vs Charlotte Spread Pick
Both teams have played well lately, combining to win nine of the last ten overall. Cleveland, however, will be the healthier team in this matchup, and that will be the difference. Look for the Cavaliers to use their depth and talent all over the floor to overwhelm a shorthanded Charlotte team Friday night. Take Cleveland to continue their winning ways as they get the win and cover Friday night on the road against the Charlotte Hornets.
- Cleveland vs Charlotte Over/Under Pick
Both teams scored the ball well enough coming into this matchup, but Charlotte will be extremely short-handed Friday night. The Hornets will have a ton of production not on the floor, and that will affect their offense. Look for the Cleveland Cavaliers to score at will as they run up the score, leading to a victory Friday night. Charlotte, however, will struggle against the Cleveland defense in this matchup. Take the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night to do the job as they get the winning cover on the road in a game that goes under the number.
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