Cavaliers vs Hornets Free Pick, NBA Free Pick & Predictions 2/20/26
- J.A. Cavalier
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
Cavalier vs Hornets Free Pick
The Cleveland Cavaliers (35-21) head to the Spectrum Center tonight for a February 20th matchup against the Charlotte Hornets (26-30) in a game that features two teams trending upward—but under very different circumstances.
Cleveland enters as one of the league’s hottest teams, riding a six-game winning streak and claiming nine victories in its last ten outings. During this stretch, the Cavaliers have displayed impressive balance on both ends of the floor, pairing efficient half-court offense with disciplined defensive rotations. Their recent form has solidified their position near the top tier of the Eastern Conference standings and reinforced their identity as a team capable of controlling tempo in high-leverage spots.
Charlotte, meanwhile, has quietly played competitive basketball, posting an 8-2 record over its last ten games. However, that momentum was halted in a narrow 105-101 home loss to Houston. The Hornets now face a significant challenge as they continue to navigate key roster absences that have tightened their rotation and increased the burden on primary scorers.
From a betting perspective, this matchup centers on sustainability versus strain. Cleveland’s recent surge has been built on depth and consistency, while Charlotte’s strong stretch has required heavy minutes and near-perfect execution from a limited lineup. With both teams showing recent form, the critical question becomes whether Charlotte can maintain its competitive edge against a Cavaliers squad currently operating at peak efficiency.
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FREE PICK UNDER 231.5
The Under is the professional side here. Yes, Cleveland can score, but Charlotte at home has been an absolute Under factory — six straight Unders at the Spectrum Center and seven of their last eight overall. Over their last 10 home games, totals are averaging just 210.8 points, and the Under has cashed in 9 of those 10. That’s not variance — that’s identity. Now look at the Hornets offensively without Bridges and White — they just put up 101 points last game. That’s not exactly Showtime. On the other side, Cleveland’s defense is tightening the screws; they just held Brooklyn to 84 points, rank 12th in defensive rating, and they don’t bail teams out at the line — only 20 personal fouls per game. Add in pace — Charlotte is 25th at 98.43, and Cleveland loves dragging teams into half-court mud, allowing just 99.3 points per 100 plays in those sets — and suddenly this isn’t a shootout, it’s a grind. Public sees Cavs offense and assumes fireworks. Sharps see missing scorers, slow tempo, foul discipline, and a home building trending Under like a metronome.
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