CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Wine merchants stayed true to their defensive strength while exploiting their deep shots as they earned a 115-92 win over the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Monday evening.
The well-deserved victory ended a three-game losing streak and kept them in third place in the Eastern Conference, for now. The New York Knicks are a half-game behind while the Orlando Magic are 1 1/2 games behind.
Here is what the Hornets (17-54) say about their defeat against the Cavs (44-28).
Before the game, Hornets coach Steve Clifford stressed the importance of getting into the paint against Cleveland’s fifth-ranked defense, which holds opponents to 109.3 points per game.
Right on cue, Cleveland clogged the box on the first possession, forcing Charlotte into a 5-of-14 performance in the first half. The Hornets had some success in the second half, tallying 13 buckets inside. The domestic breakthrough failed to reverse the trend.
“We did a good job in the (second half),” Hornets small forward Miles Bridges said of the interior attack. “In (the first half), I feel like we got away from it. Like you said, Evan (Mobley), Jarrett (Allen), they’re very tough. They’re one of the two best defensive bigs in the NBA, so it’s tough to play against them.
Bridges finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two assists. Promising rookie Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 24 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Charlotte came around the paint several times but backed away. The trees were hiding.
“Both of you never have an easy shot to the paint,” Bridges said of Allen and Mobley. “It makes you think twice before going to paint.”
Mobley notched 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in his career. Allen added 17 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. The duo combined to shoot 15 of 21. Cleveland cruised past Charlotte, 47-33.
Recently acquired Cavs veteran Marcus Morris Sr. was ejected for a foul in the first quarter that was turned into a flagrant 2 on a forearm to the sternum by Nick Richards. Cleveland went 9 of 11 from the field during that stretch.
Morris said after the game that his physicality was supposed to light a spark.
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“We struggled offensively in the second quarter,” Clifford said. “We were much better in the second half. You must be able to control the knives and control the ball. This is how you keep the ball out of the paint. And in the second half, they did everything. We gave them a lot of baskets that you can’t give up on.
The Cavs outscored the Hornets 50-36 in the paint.
After starting 2 of 14 from deep in the first quarter, a burst of 3s helped the Cavs finish 17 of 41 from beyond the arc. This is just one of many weapons they can use in the playoffs.
“It’s tough, that’s what makes them great,” Bridges said. “That’s why they’re a playoff team.” They have guys who can’t shoot, they have guys who can drive, big guys. They have everything you need on the team. It’s a tough night playing against Cleveland every night you play them and that’s why they’re in the playoffs.
Cleveland’s offense, while lethargic at times, had one constant. The Cavs finished with a game-high 41 assists on 46 made baskets. This is the ninth time this season that Cleveland has accumulated 35 or more assists. They are 8-1 in such games.
With Cavs point guard Darius Garland as the maestro, a slashing, slicing offense kept the defense guessing.
“I think I control the ball,” Clifford said of the difference-maker. “Our one-on-one defense, then their cutting baskets. We started the match with difficulty. I would say the last 18 minutes of the first half we did a good job. But in the second half we struggled. It wasn’t just Garland. The one-on-one stuff, then the cutting stuff. Body position off the ball.
Garland fought through double teams to score 15 points, 10 assists and four rebounds. Charlotte as a team had 22 assists.
“Their defense is great,” Clifford said. “It’s their business card. They’re a good, solid offensive team, but they’ll be a handful in a playoff series because of the way they defend.
The Cavs will face the Hornets again Wednesday night in Charlotte. The alert is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
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