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The Charlotte Hornets are dealing with mounting injury woes as they prepare to take on the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. The short-handed Hornets are locked in a tight battle for a playoff slot in the Eastern Conference, where the fourth and eighth-place teams are separated by only two games. Losers of seven of nine, the Cavaliers have injury concerns of their own and could be without top scorers Collin Sexton and Darius Garland for a second straight game.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center. William Hill Sportsbook lists the Hornets as a three-point favorite, while the over-under for total points scored is 212.5 in the latest Cavaliers vs. Hornets odds. Before you make any Hornets vs. Cavaliers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it has returned over $9,100 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up over $1,100 on its top-rated picks this season, and dating back to last year, it entered Week 17 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 95-59 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Cavaliers vs. Hornets. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Hornets vs. Cavaliers:

  • Cavaliers vs. Hornets spread: Hornets -3
  • Cavaliers vs. Hornets over-under: 212.5 points
  • Cavaliers vs. Hornets money line: Charlotte -160, Cleveland +140
  • CLE: The Cavaliers are 8-19 on the road
  • CHA: The Hornets had their 15th different starting lineup in Tuesday's loss

Why the Cavaliers can cover

Despite the uncertain status of Sexton and Garland, who were limited in practice on Tuesday, reinforcements appear to be on the way for Cleveland. Center Jarrett Allen (concussion) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (illness), who have been sidelined for eight and seven games, respectively, practiced Tuesday and will return to the lineup, according to Cleveland.com. Allen averaged 15.0 and 11.0 rebounds in his last five games before he was hurt.

Nance also was in the midst of a strong stretch, averaging 14.7 points and 11.0 rebounds in the three games before he went on the shelf. The duo will help bolster a suddenly deep frontcourt that also features Kevin Love and Dean Wade. Love has had his three highest point totals of the season in the last three outings, scoring at least 18 in each, while Wade is coming off a season-high 21 points in Sunday's loss to New Orleans.

Why the Hornets can cover 

Third-year guard Devonte' Graham was the only one of Charlotte's top six scorers available in Tuesday's game and led five players in double figures with 19 points. It was the 11th consecutive game scoring in double figures for Graham, who is averaging 18.3 points and 6.0 assists over the past three games. Caleb Martin started in place of leading scorer Terry Rozier and posted a double-double with a season-high 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Rozier (left knee tendinitis) and forward PJ Washington (right ankle sprain) were ruled out of Tuesday's game, and coach James Borrego said he had no update on their availability vs. Cleveland. Rozier, averaging a team-best 20.3 points per game, lit up the Cavaliers in the season opener with 42 points and 10 3-pointers. Forward Jalen McDaniels has elevated his play, averaging 16.3 points while shooting 61.3 percent in the last four games.

How to make Hornets vs. Cavaliers picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 208 points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can get that pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Cavaliers vs. Hornets? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 95-59 roll on NBA picks.