NBA · Final

Cavaliers Edge Hornets in Close Contest

118

113

Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Spectrum Center

Cleveland Cavaliers 118, Charlotte Hornets 113, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets?

Cleveland Cavaliers beat Charlotte Hornets 118-113 at Spectrum Center on February 20, 2026.

Who was favored in Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets?

Cleveland Cavaliers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -218 (about 69% implied). The favorite won.

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a narrow victory over the Charlotte Hornets with a final score of 118 to 113 at the Spectrum Center. This game was significant as it marked the Cavaliers' continued dominance in their series against the Hornets, now leading 3-1 in their meetings this season.

Cleveland's recent form has been impressive, boasting a record of 9 wins and 1 loss in their last 10 games, with a current winning streak of 6 games. They have averaged 123.0 points scored while allowing 107.0 points during this stretch. Their last game before facing the Hornets was a commanding 112-84 win against the Brooklyn Nets. In contrast, the Hornets, despite a strong home record of 8-2 over their last 10 games, have recently faced a setback, losing their most recent game against the Houston Rockets 101-105. Over their last 10 games, the Hornets have averaged 112.8 points scored and 105.2 points allowed.

At home, the Hornets have a record of 4-2 in their last six games, while they have performed well on the road with a 4-0 record prior to this matchup. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, have been formidable away from home, holding a 5-1 record in their last six away games.

Historically, the Hornets have struggled against the Cavaliers, with a head-to-head record of 1-6 in their last seven meetings. Their previous encounters this season included a close loss at home on January 22, where the Hornets fell 87-94, and a high-scoring affair on December 23, where they lost 132-139 in Cleveland. This ongoing trend of difficulty against the Cavaliers added an extra layer of challenge for the Hornets in this matchup.

In terms of injuries, the Hornets were dealing with the day-to-day statuses of Brandon Miller, who has a shoulder issue, and PJ Hall, who is managing an ankle injury. Their availability could have influenced the Hornets' performance, particularly as they sought to maintain their competitive edge against a strong Cavaliers team.

The betting market reflected the Cavaliers' strong form, with DraftKings setting the odds at Cleveland -5.5, indicating a clear expectation of their superiority in this matchup. The total points line was set at 229.5, suggesting an anticipated high-scoring game, which ultimately played out with both teams combining for 231 points.

As the game unfolded, the fourth quarter proved crucial. The Cavaliers maintained a slim lead, with Donovan Mitchell playing a pivotal role. He scored critical points in the final moments, including free throws that extended their lead to 118-113. The Hornets attempted a late rally, highlighted by a three-pointer from Brandon Miller, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cavaliers' advantage.

Overall, this matchup showcased the Cavaliers' ability to close out games effectively, while the Hornets will need to regroup and address their recent inconsistencies as they move forward in the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	CLE -5.5	229.5 o -105 / u -115	Cleveland Cavaliers -218 · Charlotte Hornets +180

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Brandon MillerDay-To-DayShoulderCharlotte Hornets
PJ HallDay-To-DayAnkleCharlotte Hornets

Leaders

PointsKon Knueppel33Charlotte Hornets
AssistsSion James7Charlotte Hornets
ReboundsRyan Kalkbrenner13Charlotte Hornets
PointsDonovan Mitchell32Cleveland Cavaliers
AssistsJames Harden8Cleveland Cavaliers
ReboundsJarrett Allen14Cleveland Cavaliers

Recent form

Charlotte Hornets

Last 10: 8-2Streak L1112.8 scored · 105.2 allowed per game4-2 at home

L101-105vs Houston RocketsFeb 20
W110-107vs Atlanta HawksFeb 12
L104-110vs Detroit PistonsFeb 10
W126-119at Atlanta HawksFeb 8
W109-99at Houston RocketsFeb 6
W102-95vs New Orleans PelicansFeb 2
W111-106vs San Antonio SpursJan 31
W123-121at Dallas MavericksJan 30
W112-97at Memphis GrizzliesJan 29
W130-93vs Philadelphia 76ersJan 26

Cleveland Cavaliers

Last 10: 9-1Streak W6123 scored · 107 allowed per game5-1 away

W112-84vs Brooklyn NetsFeb 20
W138-113vs Washington WizardsFeb 12
W119-117at Denver NuggetsFeb 10
W132-126at Sacramento KingsFeb 8
W124-91at LA ClippersFeb 5
W130-111at Portland Trail BlazersFeb 2
L113-126at Phoenix SunsJan 31
W129-99vs Los Angeles LakersJan 29
W114-98vs Orlando MagicJan 27
W119-105at Orlando MagicJan 25

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
Detroit	-	22	W3	.732	60
Cleveland	8	30	W1	.634	52
Milwaukee	28	50	L1	.390	32
Chicago	29	51	L2	.378	31
Indiana	41	63	L2	.232	19
Atlanta	-	36	L1	.561	46
Orlando	1	37	L1	.549	45
Charlotte	2	38	W1	.537	44
Miami	3	39	W2	.524	43
Washington	29	65	L10	.207	17

Box score

Stat	Cleveland Cavaliers	Charlotte Hornets
Field goals	41-77	36-92
Field goal %	53	39
Three-pointers	10-21	20-56
Three-point %	48	36
Free throws	26-28	21-22
Free throw %	93	95
Rebounds	39	45
Offensive rebounds	11	23
Defensive rebounds	28	22
Assists	24	26
Steals	10	5
Blocks	3	4
Turnovers	12	14
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	13	18
Fast-break points	8	3
Points in the paint	50	28
Fouls	21	23
Largest lead	14	4
Lead changes	18	18
Time in front	75	23

How the scoring went

3rd Quarter82-81Josh Green makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter82-82Josh Green makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter84-82Keon Ellis makes 1-foot running dunk
3rd Quarter84-85Antonio Reeves makes 23-foot running jump shot (Josh Green assists)
3rd Quarter84-87Pat Connaughton makes layup (Tre Mann assists)
3rd Quarter85-87Dennis Schroder makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter86-87Dennis Schroder makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter88-87Donovan Mitchell makes running layup (Keon Ellis assists)
3rd Quarter88-88Sion James makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter88-89Sion James makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter90-89Donovan Mitchell makes driving layup
4th Quarter93-89Donovan Mitchell makes 25-foot three point jumper (Keon Ellis assists)
4th Quarter93-90LaMelo Ball makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter93-91LaMelo Ball makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter95-91Donovan Mitchell makes 4-foot hook shot (Thomas Bryant assists)
4th Quarter95-93Kon Knueppel makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
4th Quarter97-93Donovan Mitchell makes two point shot
4th Quarter97-95LaMelo Ball makes 9-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter100-95James Harden makes 24-foot three pointer (Nae'Qwan Tomlin assists)
4th Quarter100-98Brandon Miller makes 22-foot three point jumper (Sion James assists)
4th Quarter102-98James Harden makes 4-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter102-100Brandon Miller makes driving layup
4th Quarter102-101Brandon Miller makes free throw 1 of 1
4th Quarter104-101Jarrett Allen makes layup
4th Quarter107-101Dean Wade makes 22-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)
4th Quarter108-101James Harden makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter109-101James Harden makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter109-103Kon Knueppel makes 9-foot two point shot
4th Quarter112-103Dean Wade makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sam Merrill assists)
4th Quarter112-104Kon Knueppel makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter112-105Kon Knueppel makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter112-107Brandon Miller makes 2-foot layup (LaMelo Ball assists)
4th Quarter112-108Brandon Miller makes free throw 1 of 1
4th Quarter114-108Donovan Mitchell makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
4th Quarter114-110Ryan Kalkbrenner makes dunk
4th Quarter115-110Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter116-110Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter116-113Brandon Miller makes 26-foot three pointer (LaMelo Ball assists)
4th Quarter117-113Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter118-113Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2