Hornets Let One Slip to Cleveland

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Hornets have now dropped the first two games of this five-game homestand by falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday evening, 114-108.

Nick Richards picked up where he left off last night defensively, at least as far as blocked shots go. He recorded two in just the first three minutes of the game, but the true defensive star in the early going was Dennis Smith Jr., who filled in the starting lineup for Kelly Oubre Jr. (back discomfort). He was all over the place wreaking havoc, coming away with three steals in the opening frame, two of which came on consecutive possessions.

After falling behind 9-4, the Hornets rallied for a 25-6 run to take a double-digit lead, thanks to one of the best offensive outputs in a quarter we've seen this season. As a team, the Hornets shot 14/19 from the field, including 12 points from PJ Washington on 5/5 shooting (2/2 3FG).

Darius Garland collected 13 points in the second, burying a couple of threes, one of which gave Cleveland a 49-48 lead around the four-minute mark. Charlotte answered by closing out the half on an 11-3 run to take a 59-52 lead into the break.

The third quarter was fairly even across the board with both teams getting a series of buckets and stops at the same time, not allowing for momentum to tug in any one direction. Charlotte's lead increased by one, 89-81, heading to the fourth.

Cleveland opened things up on a 10-4 run to cut the lead to just one. Seven of those points came either right at the rim or from the charity stripe. The Hornets' interior defense allowed the ball to get too deep in the post and were unable to position themselves to protect the rim without fouling.

Evan Mobley slammed home a dunk at 5:41 to give Cleveland a 100-99 lead which turned into a 7-0 run. Donovan Mitchell had six straight to help the Cavs remain in control in the final minutes of the game. Darius Garland, however, made things a little interesting at the end by missing the first of two free throws in what was a three-point game. He got the second one to roll in, officially putting the dagger in the Hornets.

The Hornets will look to split the two game set with the Cavs when the two return to action on Tuesday inside Spectrum Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST.

1ST: CHA 35-25

CLE: 9/22 FG | 2/9 3FG | 3/3 FT | 8 REB | 4 AST | 6 TO | 14 PIP

CHA: 14/19 FG | 3/5 3FG | 4/5 FT | 10 REB | 10 AST | 5 TO | 18 PIP

2ND: CHA 59-52

CLE: 20/50 FG | 4/17 3FG | 8/12 FT | 23 REB | 7 AST | 8 TO | 30 PIP

CHA: 23/41 FG | 5/8 3FG | 8/11 FT | 26 REB | 17 AST | 13 TO | 32 PIP

3RD: CHA 89-81

CLE: 30/69 FG | 6/23 3FG | 15/20 FT | 32 REB | 14 AST | 10 TO | 42 PIP

CHA: 35/64 FG | 9/16 3FG | 10/13 FT | 33 REB | 21 AST | 14 TO | 42 PIP

4TH: CLE 114-108

CLE: 41/87 FG | 7/27 3FG | 25/34 FT | 40 REB | 18 AST | 10 TO | 56 PIP

CHA: 41/79 FG | 10/21 3FG | 16/22 FT | 43 REB | 25 AST | 19 TO | 52 PIP

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