yahoo - 2/20/2026 4:53:26 PM - GMT (+2 )
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The Cleveland Cavaliers look for their seventh straight win when they visit the Charlotte Hornets tonight.
Both teams will be playing the latter half of a back-to-back, with the books setting the visitors as 6-point favorites in the NBA odds.
Even with James Harden’s successful integration onto the Cleveland roster, my Cavaliers vs. Hornets predictions and free NBA picks like the home team to cover on Friday, February 20.
Cavaliers vs Hornets predictionCavaliers vs Hornets best bet: Hornets +6 (-110)
The Cleveland Cavaliers crushed Brooklyn 112-84 on Thursday, moving to 3-0 since acquiring James Harden while averaging 123 points a game.
But Cleveland has had its problems against the Charlotte Hornets. While they’ve won six of the last seven straight-up, they're just 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
The Hornets lost a close 105-101 decision to Houston yesterday, but they’re built to bounce back. They're 9-2 ATS on the second night of a back-to-back, the second-best mark in the NBA.
They’re also allowing just 105.2 ppg over their last 10, third-best in basketball.
Cavaliers vs Hornets same-game parlayThe point guards are front-and-center for this SGP. Harden has topped his 8.5-assist line in each of the last two games, missing the Over in his debut by two dimes.
LaMelo Ball, meanwhile, racked up seven assists in the loss to Houston, and he’s averaging 7.4 dimes per game on the season.
Cavaliers vs Hornets SGP- Hornets +6
- James Harden Over 8.5 assists
- LaMelo Ball Over 6.5 assists
Harden has hit at least three 3-balls in six of his last nine, shooting it much better than backcourt mate Donovan Mitchell, who has hit three triples in a game one time in his last seven.
Brandon Miller has hit 3+ 3-pointers in three of his last four, while rookie phenom Kon Knueppel has drilled 4+ in five of his last eight outings.
Ball has struggled shooting deep against Cleveland, hitting four 3-pointers or more in a game just three times in 10 career starts.
Cavaliers vs Hornets SGP- James Harden Over 2.5 3-pointers
- Donovan Mitchell Under 2.5 3-pointers
- Brandon Miller Over 2.5 3-pointers
- Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 3-pointers
- LaMelo Ball Under 3.5 3-poiners
- Spread: Cavaliers -6 | Hornets +6
- Moneyline: Cavaliers -225 | Hornets +185
- Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5
The Hornets have hit the moneyline in 20 of their last 35 games (+18.20 Units / 39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Hornets.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Hornets| Location | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |
| Date | Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN Ohio, FDSN Southeast Charlotte |
Not intended for use in MA.
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