| MATCHUP | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Hornets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 35-21 | 26-30 |
| Spread | -5.5 -108 | +5.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | -218 | +180 |
| Total | Over 233.5 (-112) | Under 233.5 (-108) |
| Where | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC | |
| When | Friday, February 20, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | FanDuel SN OH | |
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Charlotte Hornets collide at the Spectrum Center on Friday night.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on fire as they’ve won 11 of their last 12 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current six-game win streak after blowing past the Nets in a 112-84 win last night. Donovan Mitchell led the team in scoring with just 17 points and five assists, James Harden added 16 points with nine assists while Jarrett Allen tallied 15 points with 10 rebounds. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 51 percent from the field and 12 of 35 from the 3-point line as they stormed out to an early double-digit lead after dominating the first quarter by 34-16 and they went on another push in the third quarter where they went on a 23-9 run to put the game to bed early. No starter played more than 28 minutes and Evan Mobley looked great in his first game back from injury as he tallied 10 points with nine rebounds in just 19 minutes of action.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have been on a tear lately as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back in this one after coming up painfully short to the Rockets in a 105-101 defeat last night. Grant Williams led the team with 20 points and nine rebounds on seven of 10 shooting, Brandon Miller added 17 points with seven assists, Kon Knueppel tallied 15 points with five rebounds and four assists while LaMelo Ball chipped in with 11 points and seven assists. A s a team, the Hornets shot just 43 percent from the field and 14 of 42 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start with 33 points in the first to take the early lead, but they didn’t capitalize and just couldn’t find their offense when they needed it most as they had the scores tied up early in the fourth quarter before the Rockets went on a pivotal 11-0 run to start to pull away.
Cleveland v Charlotte Free Prediction
The Cavaliers are still missing Max Strus and Nae’Qwan Tomlin, while the Hornets are still playing without the suspended Miles Bridges and they are keeping an eye on Coby White who is listed as a game time decision. These teams have already met three times this season with the Cavaliers winning the last two meetings to lead the series by 2-1. It’s hard to split these two teams at the moment, but I do have to give the edge to the Cavaliers who are almost back to full health which makes them so much more dangerous. Harden has looked great in the Cavs lineup so far and I think they can stay with a win and cover at this reasonable line in what should be a close one.