The start of the 2021-22 NBA season is officially underway! The Charlotte Hornets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers for their second game of the season. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Hornets-Cavaliers prediction and pick based on Hornets Cavaliers odds.

The Hornets played extremely well in their season opener at home against the Indiana Pacers. In the third quarter, the Hornets sparked a 24-0 run to come back and defeat the Pacers. LaMelo Ball shot the lights out — going 11-23 and 7-9 from three, finishing with a team-high 31 points. Gordon Hayward played well with 27 points and the Hornets look like a team on the rise. The first half was shaking, but it ended up being a well-rounded win. They will need to see more production from P.J Washington, however, because he finished with just five points on 1-7 shooting.

Cleveland lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 132-121 on Wednesday night. The Cavs issued an interesting starting five with three big men, forcing Lauri Markkanen to start at the small forward. Rookie Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen rounded out the frontcourt. If the Cavs continue to bring out that starting five, then look for opposing teams to start playing small and force a mismatch. Allen dominated the Grizzlies, despite the loss. He finished with 25 points on 11-11 shooting, but only four rebounds. Kevin Love came off the bench and contributed with a slim four points. The Cavs will look to bounce back against a hot Hornets team.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the Hornets-Cavaliers odds for Friday night’s matchup.

NBA Odds: Hornets-Cavaliers Odds

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Charlotte Hornets: -3 (-110)

Cleveland Cavaliers: +3 (-110)

Over 225.5 (-110)

Under 225.5 (-112)

Why The Hornets Could Cover The Spread

The Hornets can cover this spread if they play just like they did against the Pacers. They will need to get going a little faster in the first half, but once they start hitting shots they are difficult to defend. Ball will likely be guarded by Sexton, which will be an exciting matchup to watch Friday night. Cleveland deploys quite a few big men, while the Hornets are on the smaller side of things. We will have to see how the Hornets decide to match them, as they could go small and force the Cavs to issue a smaller lineup. If Markkanen is running the three, then Hayward and the Hornets should play fast and take advantage of the mismatch.

The Hornets like to play fast. Getting defensive stops and scoring in transition is what the Hornets are great at doing. Once the Hornets get Rozier back from an ankle injury, that will only make it easier. It will be difficult for this Cavs lineup to defend in transition.

Why The Cavaliers Could Cover The Spread

The Cavs can cover this spread if they defend well in transition. The Hornets are going to try and take advantage of the size difference while putting out a lineup worth keeping up with.

Mobley finished his NBA debut with a stat line that only one other rookie had accomplished. He accomplished something not even LeBron James could do in his debut. He finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block. The only other rookie to do that was Deandre Ayton in 2018 for the Phoenix Suns. The Cavs are excited about the potential Mobley will bring. They currently issue a powerful backcourt, with him, Allen, Markkanen, and Love. We will see how they are all utilized this season.

Final Hornets-Cavaliers Prediction & Pick

I expect the Hornets to feed off their past performance and beat the Cavaliers to improve to 2-0. Cleveland still has a ways to go to put themselves into contention. The Hornets are looking to be a playoff team this year and have a lot of high expectations this year. With the spread being where it's at, I like the Hornets in this one. The Cavs did score 120 against the Grizzlies, so I also like the over in this game.

FINAL PICK: Hornets -3 (-110)

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION & PICK: Hornets 115 – Cavaliers 110