Charlotte Hornets vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game Preview

INJURY REPORT:

HORNETS: OUT: Cody Martin (Knee), LaMelo Ball (Ankle), DOUBTFUL: Mark Williams (R Thumb Sprain)

CAVALIERS: DOUBTFUL: Jarrett Allen (R Eye)

GAME PREVIEW:

The Hornets take on Cleveland on Sunday at an early tip-off time of 5PM EST. This will be the first of two games in three days against the Cavaliers in a rare mini home game series. The only other meeting between the two teams earlier this season was on November 19th and ended up in a double OT 132-122 win for Cleveland. Kelly Oubre had a season-high 34 points, the most by any member of the Hornets this season.

The Cavaliers are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference and are still in the hunt of the Sixers for 3rd place in the East. Cleveland currently has a top-10 offense and top-5 defense, with the addition of Donovan Mitchell helping turn them into an Eastern Conference contender. However, despite having a league leading point differential of +6.0 Cleveland have come unstuck in close games winning just 36% of their "Close Games" according to Team Rankings. With the Cavs missing well-known Hornets killer Jarrett Allen, they will be struggling for size in the frontcourt and should pose a different kind of challenge to the Jazz.

KEY MATCHUP: Evan Mobley vs PJ Washington

Evan Mobley and PJ Washington are two players who have hit some late season form as the regular season draws to a close. Over the last 28 games, Mobley has averaged 18.5PTS 9REB 3AST 1STL 1.6BLK on a true shooting percentage of 59.4%. Mobley has been dominant defensively, both on the perimeter switching onto guards and protecting the paint as a rim protector, he will pose a major challenge for an offensively challenged team like the Hornets who will struggle to score.

PJ Washington has equally been playing better as of late, finally finding some level of much-needed consistency. Over his last last 31 games he's up to 16PTS 5REB 2.4AST 1STL 1.3BLK and a true shooting percentage of 57.7% which is just under league average for his position and above his career average of 55.5%. Will PJ Washington be able to pull Mobley away from the basket? Will he be able to guard the bigger, longer Mobley on the interior? These are the key challenges Washington will have to face.

Cleveland Cavaliers	Charlotte Hornets
Point Guard	Darius Garland	Terry Rozier
Shooting Guard	Donovan Mitchell	Kelly Oubre
Small Forward	Isaac Okoro	Gordon Hayward
Power Forward	Lamar Stevens	PJ Washington
Center	Evan Mobley	Nick Richards

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