Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction
Behind double doubles from LeBron James (27 points, 13 assists) and Kevin Love (22 points, season-high 18 rebounds), the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 97-88, and snapped a two-game losing streak.
Cleveland (14-9) has now won eight of its last 10 games while Charlotte (6-18) continues to occupy the Southeast Division cellar, having lost three straight and eight of its last 10.
The Cavaliers opened Monday night's victory on a 21-0 run, as it took the Hornets more than seven minutes to record their first points of the opening frame. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Cleveland was the first team since the Portland Trail Blazers in 2004 to open a game with at least a 21-0 advantage.
However, the Hornets showed tremendous resiliency, cutting the deficit to as few as three points while outscoring Cleveland, 28-20, in the second quarter.
Steve Clifford's squad simply couldn't overcome a lack of firepower, though, shooting 46 percent from the field, 31 percent from three and 50 percent (7-of-14) from the free-throw line.
Kyrie Irving added 16 points and five assists for the Cavaliers while Tristan Thompson chipped in 10 points and five boards off the bench. As a team, Cleveland shot 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.
Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 24 points on 11-of-20 shooting, but Al Jefferson couldn't establish a rhythm throughout, mustering 14 points and two rebounds. Lance Stephenson didn't play in crunch time and finished with eight points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals.
Next up for Cleveland is a showdown with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. The Hornets, meanwhile, will look to get back on the winning track Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET versus the Phoenix Suns.
