Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions for Monday, November 9, 2026

The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Spectrum Center on Monday to face the Charlotte Hornets, with both teams looking to get back into the win column. Cleveland (5-5, 2nd Central Division, 7th Eastern Conference) suffered a 109-97 home loss to New York on Saturday. Charlotte (3-7, 4th Southeast Division, 10th Eastern Conference) has dropped six straight, including Friday's 119-80 defeat against Boston. The Cavaliers have lost three of five and are 1-3 away, while Charlotte holds a 2-4 home record. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET on DAZN CLE. Check out our free NBA picks for Monday's game.

Cleveland Looking for Consistency

Saturday's meeting with New York brought another setback for Cleveland. The Cavaliers couldn't build on their 119-95 victory over Philadelphia the previous night, falling 109-97 to the Knicks. That leaves Cleveland with two wins in its last five games and an even 5-5 record. The offense has shown it can produce, averaging 119.2 points per game, but the defense continues to give up opportunities. Opponents score 114.1 per contest, and Cleveland hasn't been able to maintain any winning momentum.

Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavaliers with 22.6 points per game, giving Cleveland its most reliable scoring option. Evan Mobley follows with 19.1 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds. James Harden has taken charge of playmaking, averaging 5.9 assists while contributing 16.7 points. Cleveland pulls down 48.4 rebounds per game. Jarrett Allen's absence creates a problem inside, although Mobley remains capable of handling much of the work around the basket.

Injuries: Jaylon Tyson, Sam Merrill and Jarrett Allen are out.

Charlotte Searching for a Breakthrough

Nothing went right for Charlotte against Boston on Friday. The Hornets trailed 40-20 after the opening quarter and never threatened to get back into the game, losing 119-80. That's six consecutive defeats for a team now sitting at 3-7. Scoring has become a serious problem. Charlotte averages only 96.3 points per game while allowing 110.2, and the Hornets have struggled to find good shots. They're shooting 39.3% from the floor, leaving little room for mistakes when opponents start pulling away.

Brandon Miller leads Charlotte with 20.6 points per game, although his status remains uncertain for Monday. Naz Reid has contributed 16.6 points, but the Hornets need more scoring from the rest of the lineup. Dennis Schroder, who averages a team-high 4.9 assists, won't be available. Moussa Diabate leads Charlotte with 9.1 rebounds and is questionable. The Hornets average 45.8 rebounds, but their work on the glass hasn't produced enough second-chance scoring to change their fortunes.

Injuries: Dennis Schroder, Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams are out. Brandon Miller and Moussa Diabate are game-time decisions.

Key To The Game

Cleveland has a clear advantage offensively, averaging 119.2 points against Charlotte's 96.3. The Cavaliers also grab 48.4 rebounds per game, compared with 45.8 for the Hornets. Charlotte can't afford careless possessions, especially with 18.1 turnovers per contest. Mitchell and Harden will look to capitalize on those mistakes, putting more pressure on a Hornets offense already struggling to keep pace.

Cleveland vs Charlotte Game Pick

• Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are 5-5 and haven't looked dependable from night to night. Charlotte's problems are much deeper. The Hornets have lost six straight, scored only 80 against Boston, and shoot 39.3% from the floor. Mitchell averages 22.6 points, Mobley supplies 19.1, and Harden can create chances with 5.9 assists. Even without Allen, Cleveland should have enough inside to challenge Charlotte on the boards. The injury questions around Miller and Diabate make the Hornets difficult to take even when getting points. Take the Cavaliers.

Cleveland vs Charlotte Over/Under Pick

• Under

Charlotte is averaging just 96.3 points and managed 80 against Boston. That places a heavy burden on Cleveland to drive the total by itself. The Cavaliers score 119.2 per game, but Saturday's 97-point showing against New York demonstrates that their offense can stall, too. Schroder is out for Charlotte, while Miller's status remains uncertain. Cleveland gives up 114.1 points, yet the Hornets haven't shown enough consistent shooting to take full advantage. Even if Mitchell leads the Cavaliers to a comfortable win, Charlotte could struggle to contribute its share. I'm taking the under.