Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets NBA Betting Preview – December 14, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets NBA Betting Preview
December 14, 2025 – 3:30 PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers return home to face the Charlotte Hornets in what promises to be an intriguing NBA matchup on December 14, 2025. With the Cavaliers favored by a sizeable margin, bettors should look closely at the spread, total, and key player props before placing their wagers. Here’s a detailed look at the top betting angles for this game.
Spread Analysis: Hornets +11.5
Cleveland enters this game as a heavy favorite, reflected in the large 11.5-point spread. However, this line might be inflated given some underlying trends. The Cavaliers have struggled against the spread (ATS) this season with an 8-18 record, indicating a tendency to underperform relative to expectations.
Head-to-head, Cleveland holds a 4-0 record over Charlotte recently, but the spread results are split evenly at 2-2 ATS in those matchups. Experts predict a Cavaliers win with a final score around 122-112, which implies the Hornets covering the +11.5 spread is a realistic outcome.
The Hornets’ ability to keep games close and the Cavaliers’ ATS struggles make the Hornets +11.5 a strong betting consideration. While Cleveland is expected to win, the margin may not be as large as the spread suggests, offering value on Charlotte.
Total Points: Under 235.5
The posted total of 235.5 points is on the high side for this matchup. The Cavaliers’ recent games have averaged 236.1 combined points, just above the total, but the Hornets have a clear trend towards lower-scoring affairs.
Charlotte’s games have gone Under 8 times out of 16 this season, including a 3-9 Under record at home. Both teams average a combined 233.7 points per game, which is 1.8 points below the total line.
The Hornets’ offense has struggled to keep pace, averaging only 114.7 points per game. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s home games have leaned Under in 11 of 15 contests. These factors point toward the Under 235.5 being a more reliable play than the Over in this game.
Player Prop: Donovan Mitchell Over 28.5 Points
Donovan Mitchell continues to be the centerpiece of Cleveland’s offense, currently averaging 31.3 points per game. His scoring prowess will be tested against a Charlotte defense that ranks among the league’s worst, allowing 118.7 points per game.
Mitchell’s Over/Under line is set at 28.5 points, which is significantly below his season average. This gap suggests strong value in the Over bet, as Mitchell is expected to exploit the Hornets’ defensive weaknesses and deliver a big scoring night.
Given his consistent offensive output and the favorable matchup, the Over 28.5 points prop is the highest confidence pick of the three key bets discussed.
Summary of Top Picks
- Hornets +11.5: The large spread may overvalue Cleveland’s chances, making the Hornets a solid underdog pick.
- Under 235.5 Total Points: Both teams’ scoring trends favor a game with fewer combined points than the total.
- Donovan Mitchell Over 28.5 Points: Mitchell’s scoring average and Charlotte’s weak defense make this prop bet highly attractive.
As always, bettors should wager responsibly and consider all factors before placing bets. This preview provides entertainment and educational insights rather than guaranteed outcomes.
This content is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Not betting advice. Wager responsibly.