Hornets Look to Build on Road Success Against Struggling Cavaliers
The Charlotte Hornets welcomed the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, looking to extend momentum from a successful road trip, while the Cavaliers aimed to bounce back from a lopsided loss.[1]
Charlotte returned home from a 3-2 road excursion that included impressive victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, both top-six teams in the Western Conference.[1] The Hornets capped their journey by dismantling Denver 110-87 on Sunday, showcasing the kind of performance that has drawn praise from coach Charles Lee.
“It shows growth,” Hornets forward Miles Bridges said of the road trip performance. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a winning record going on the West Coast since I’ve been here. So for us to pull that off against good teams too, it’s good for us.”[1] The win marked a significant step for a franchise that hasn’t won more than 27 games in a single season since 2021-22 and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016.
Cavaliers Seeking Redemption After OKC Defeat
Cleveland arrived in Charlotte still reeling from a 136-104 drubbing at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.[1] The loss prompted soul-searching from Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, who criticized his team’s overall execution.
“I didn’t like our play, quite honestly, at either end,” Atkinson said. “We didn’t read the game right. The decision-making was trouble.”[1]
The Cavaliers struggled with inconsistency from star scorer Donovan Mitchell, who posted just 19 points on 5-for-18 shooting, including 1-for-9 from three-point range against Oklahoma City—marking his second-lowest total as the team’s leading scorer this season.[1] Mitchell typically ranks seventh in the NBA at 29 points per game and had previously made at least two three-pointers in 14 consecutive games before Monday’s performance.
Key Lineup Considerations
Cleveland faced additional challenges with guard Darius Garland sidelined by a toe sprain, forcing other players to assume greater playmaking responsibility.[1] Guard Sam Merrill remained out with a hand injury, further depleting the backcourt depth.
“We got to have other guys step up and make plays,” Atkinson noted. “Trust your teammates. They will make plays. We just have to do it more consistently.”[1]
Hornets’ Offensive Firepower
Charlotte countered with balanced scoring, led by guard LaMelo Ball’s 19.9 points per game average and swingman Brandon Miller’s recent consistency.[1] Miller averaged 22.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across his previous four games and posted the team’s highest point total in the last two outings.
The Hornets and Cavaliers had split two December matchups in Cleveland, with Charlotte winning 119-111 in overtime before falling 139-132 eight days later.[1]
