The 2025 NBA season kicks off Monday with an Eastern Conference matchup as the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Charlotte Hornets. Cleveland holds a 15-14 record but has been inconsistent lately, winning only eight out of their last 11 games. Meanwhile, Charlotte is struggling with a 9-19 record but has managed to win two of its last three. Collin Sexton from Charlotte is questionable due to a quadriceps injury, while Cleveland will be without Evan Mobley because of a calf issue.
The game will be played at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena at 7:00 PM ET. The Cavaliers are favored by 9 points at home, with an over-under set at 238.5 points. Before making your betting decisions, consider checking the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
New users can also access an underdog promo code offering a $75 bonus entry when betting $5 using the code CBSSPORTS2. The SportsLine model, known for simulating games 10,000 times, boasts more than $10,000 in returns on $100 bets over the last eight seasons and holds a strong 29-14 record on spread picks entering Week 9 of the 2025-26 season.
After simulating the Cavaliers vs. Hornets matchup 10,000 times, the model highlights that both teams tend to go under the total points line this season. Cleveland has gone under in 16 of 29 games, with Charlotte under in 18 of 28 games. At home, Cleveland has scored below expectations in 12 of 17 games. Donovan Mitchell, who is expected to recover from an illness, is predicted to be the lone player to score 20 points in the simulation. The model also indicates one side of the spread will cover nearly 70% of the time.
For the latest picks and detailed analysis, visit SportsLine, where the model’s NBA projections have been highly profitable for bettors. The game will be available to stream on Peacock.
Fan Take: This game is pivotal as it showcases the potential of the Cavaliers without Evan Mobley and tests the resilience of the Hornets amid injuries. The outcome could influence playoff positioning and highlight emerging stars, making it a must-watch for NBA enthusiasts eager to see how both teams adapt and compete.
