Donovan Mitchell scored 21 points in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 109–97 loss to New York. Even with that late burst, the Cavs fell short of 100. Now they’re a sizable favorite against a Charlotte team that has struggled to reach 100 itself. The question is how much offense Cleveland can get from everyone else before it needs another big quarter from Mitchell.
Charlotte needs to turn stops into points
Boston hit nine threes in the first quarter of its 119–80 win over Charlotte. Once the Hornets fell behind, they shot just 28% for the first half. That’s where the split in our team grades matters. Charlotte has a B on defense, which gives it a way to hang around, but the F on offense reflects a team that has scored fewer than 100 in four of its six straight losses.
The Hornets will be without Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, two perimeter options. Miller is out with a groin injury, and Knueppel has a left hamstring strain. For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen is questionable with the knee injury that kept him out against the Knicks.
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Where Cleveland can build a cushion
Mitchell finished with 37 against New York, leaving 60 points from the rest of the team. The Cavs scored 119 the night before against Philadelphia, and our A− offensive grade reflects that bigger scoring potential. DraftKings had Cleveland favored by 9.5 Monday morning. Charlotte missed the spread in each of its six losses, while Cleveland covered three times in ten games. Watch how the Cavs score on possessions where Charlotte gets the ball out of Mitchell’s hands. Those trips can turn a narrow lead into breathing room.
How much can Charlotte add to the total?
Eight of Cleveland’s ten games finished above Monday’s 214.5, even though six went under their own posted totals. Only two of Charlotte’s six losses reached that level, and one finished at 215. Cleveland can build a lead while the total stays low if Charlotte keeps coming up empty. If the Hornets find enough scoring to keep it close, they can also do more of the work toward 214.5.
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