Where To Find Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets Game Tonight: Time, Streaming, Breakdown

A tough loss to the best team in the NBA can't discourage the Cleveland Cavaliers as they take on a team they are 1-1 against so far this season.

Dec 22, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Lamelo Ball (1) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball (2) stand on the court in the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the number one team in the NBA for a reason. They showed that against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Through the first half, the Cavs kept it close up until the final two minutes where it then became all Thunder. 

From that point, OKC was on top the rest of the night putting up 45 points in the fourth quarter to beat Cleveland 136-104 as the Cavs moved to a 24-20 record.

This loss should not be one the team takes negatives from, OKC has been clicking all season. Looking at the positives of the game. Jarrett Allen showed real aggressiveness throughout when it came to rebounding which if he shows all season can really help the team a ton.

Now Cleveland heads into Charlotte to face the Hornets for the third time this season. They are 16-27 but have split the series so far with the Cavs at one win a piece. 

One Cavalier has something to play angry for. Donovan Mitchell was snubbed as an All-Star game starter and had some things to say about not being a starter.

This is the start of NBA “Rivals Week” and what says rivalry better than the classic Cavaliers and Hornets rivalry.

Where to watch the Cavaliers at Hornets game?

Channel: ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Injury Report

Hornets: Mason Plumlee (groin) is out. KJ Simpson (hip) is out. Tidjane Salaun (Achilles) is probable.

Cavs: Max Strus (foot) is out. Sam Merrill (hand) is out. Darius Garland (foot) is out.

Probable Starting Lineups

Cavs

• Donovan Mitchell

• Craig PorterJr.

• Jaylon Tyson

• Evan Mobley

• Jarrett Allen

Hornets

• LaMelo Ball

• Kon Kneuppel

• Brandon Miller

• Miles Bridges

• Moussa Diabate

Cavaliers at Hornets predictions, odds, best bets

Odds: Cavaliers by 3

O/U: 235.5

Best Bet: Donovan Mitchell over 30 points -125.

Cavaliers 130, Hornets 121: Another high scoring close matchup between these two teams should be frowned upon by the Cavs players but getting a win right now is much more important.

Cleveland is tied with Orlando and Philadelphia for fifth in the Eastern Conference. They have a two game series with Orlando coming up, but getting two wins before that will be big if they want to chase home court advantage out East.

All NBA Odds via FanDuel

Cavaliers 2025-2026 Schedule

• Friday, Jan. 23 vs. Sacramento

• Saturday, Jan. 24 @ Orlando

• Monday, Jan. 26 vs. Orlando

• Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. 
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