Charlotte Hornets loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105, snapping Hornets three-game winning streak

Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 112 to 105, snapping Hornets three-game winning streak. Cavs bounced back after losing to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. Hornets are still three games back behind the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Hornets backup center Miles Plumlee (calf strain) and backup point guard Ramon Sessions (knee) were both cleared to play against the Cavs but did not play. Sessions missed the past 21 games while Plumlee missed the last 16 games for the Hornets. Charlotte went on an 11-1 run in the fourth quarter to cut the Cavs lead to just two and had a chance to tie the game at 100 with four and half minutes left, but Kemba Walker made only one of two free throws. Cavs quickly responded with JR Smith hitting a three-pointer on the next possession and then Kevin Love hit a 12-foot jumper and then LeBron James converted in the lane to push the lead to eight. Charlotte would cut the lead to five, but Batum missed an open three-pointer with 25 seconds left. James grabbed the rebound and was fouled and would make two free throws to put the game away.

The MVP for the Hornets this game is Marco Belinelli who scored 22 points off the bench. Belinelli stepped up when MKG got in foul trouble and came up huge for the Hornets in the fourth quarter. Scoring nine points in the quarter, including a transition dunk to cap off the 11-1 run from the Hornets to cut the Cavs lead to two. Charlotte did everything right tonight to win just the Cavs made enough plays especially at the end of the game to win. The Hornets outscored the Cavs in the paint 50-40, grabbed 14 offense rebounds that result in 24-second chance points, forced the Cavs to turn the ball over 12 times and even made ten three-pointers. Like I said the Cavs just made enough plays to take this win from the Hornets. The leading scorers for the Hornets this game were Kemba Walker with 28 points 5 assists, Nicolas Batum with 19 points, Cody Zeller with 15 points 11 rebounds, Marvin Williams with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The leading scorers for the Cavs were LeBron James with 32 points 11 assists 9 rebounds, Kyrie Irving with 26 points 7 assists, Kevin Love with 15 points 12 rebounds and JR Smith with 9 points. Charlotte Hornets (32-40) play Sunday afternoon against the Phoenix Suns, the next game for Devin Brooker after scoring 70 points(!) against the Boston Celtics. 

Behind LeBron's 44 points, Cavs cruise past Hornets, 116 to 105

The Charlotte Hornets started their five consecutive road games Saturday in Cleveland in which they got blown out by the Cavaliers 116 to 105. Giving Cleveland there fourth straight victory and the sixth straight time the Cavs have beaten the Hornets at home. LeBron James recorded his 7,000 assist in the first half, becoming the first frontcourt player in NBA history to do so. The Cavs took control of the game early on, shooting 71% in the first quarter and building a 12-point lead. They would keep shooting around 70% for most of the first half and had a 15-point lead at half, 67 to 52. The Hornets would cut the lead down to three in the third quarter but LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers quickly pushed the lead back up to double digits. And in the fourth quarter Lebron James scored 13 straight and total 17 in the quarter to lead the Cavaliers past the Hornets. Kemba Walker would get injured late in the game when he banged knees with James. But after the game he told reporters that he’s fine and should play in the next game. Also J.R. Smith first game back after missing two games due to a hyperextended knee who scored six points in 32 minutes of action.

            MVP for this game for the Hornets would be Marco Belinelli with 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting and 3 of 4 from the three-point line in 28 minute of action. He been reliable all year long off the bench, even stealing minutes in the fourth quarter from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who can struggle on offense sometimes. Ever since Hornets traded for him during the offseason I’ve completely agreed with the trade and he’s hasn’t proved me wrong yet. Other leading scorers for the Hornets are, Kemba Walker with 24 points and 5 assist, Cody Zeller with 17 points and 9 rebounds, Nicolas Batum with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Nicolas Batum is one of five NBA players averaging at least 13 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists, other players on that list includes LeBron James, Russel Westbrook, and James Harden. He is also leading the Eastern Conference in fewest turnovers per game with 2.3. Cleveland leading scorers was LeBron James with a season high 44 points on 17 of 24 shooting and 5 of 10 from the three-point line, 9 rebounds and 10 assists, Kevin Love with 22 points and Tristan Thompson with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Charlotte Hornets (14-10) plays again Monday on the road against the Indiana Pacers.