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Can Anyone Stop the Cavaliers? A Look at Their Dominance and Hornets' Injury Struggles

Can Anyone Stop the Cleveland Cavaliers? Charlotte Hornets Facing Tough Odds Amid Injury Crisis

The Cleveland Cavaliers will visit the Charlotte Hornets this Saturday at the Spectrum Center, with tip-off scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. With a blazing 20-3 record, Cleveland looks poised to extend their dominance over a Hornets team decimated by injuries. Charlotte, on the other hand, is struggling to stay competitive, with a dismal 6-16 record. Here’s a breakdown of how both teams are shaping up ahead of their matchup.

Cleveland Cavaliers: On a Hot Streak and Looking Unstoppable

After a 126-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers are riding a three-game win streak. The Cavs have been nearly flawless at home, with a 13-1 record at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this season, showcasing their impressive offensive and defensive balance.

One of the defining features of the Cavaliers’ recent play has been their lethal three-point shooting. Against the Nuggets, Cleveland set a season-high by hitting 22 three-pointers, outscoring Denver 66-18 from beyond the arc. Despite Denver’s 76 points in the paint, Cleveland made the most of its defensive opportunities, forcing 16 turnovers that resulted in 23 points.

Key players like Donovan Mitchell, who scored 28 points against Denver, and Darius Garland (24 points) have been leading the charge offensively. The Cavs rank 3rd in NET rating, a reflection of their efficient play on both ends of the court. Offensively, Cleveland is particularly dominant from deep, leading the league in 3-point shooting percentage (1st), while also excelling in effective field goal percentage (59.6%), and mid-range efficiency (3rd). Defensively, the Cavaliers are 11th in defensive efficiency, showing that their ability to shut down opposing offenses is just as critical to their success.

Cleveland’s ability to protect the ball is another key strength, ranking 7th in turnover percentage, allowing them to capitalize on fast-break opportunities and control the pace of the game.

 

 

Charlotte Hornets: Struggling Without Key Players

On the other hand, the Charlotte Hornets are in a tough spot. A 125-101 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday extended their losing streak to seven games, and they’ve now lost nine of their last ten. The Hornets are deeply affected by injuries to several key players, including their star point guard LaMelo Ball and forward Miles Bridges. In their most recent defeat, Charlotte was outplayed in every phase, particularly on the defensive end. New York shot a scorching 53.9% from the field and 54.5% from three-point range, while Charlotte’s defense struggled to keep up.

Brandon Miller, who has shown flashes of brilliance as a rookie, led the Hornets with 26 points, while Seth Curry added 18 points off the bench. However, the Hornets’ collective effort was not enough to overcome New York’s offensive firepower, and Charlotte’s struggles are becoming evident across the board.

The Hornets rank 26th in NET rating, with glaring weaknesses in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Charlotte is 27th in offensive rating and 21st in defensive rating, highlighting their overall lack of balance. One area where the Hornets have managed to hold their ground is on the glass, where they rank 3rd in offensive rebounding percentage, though their inability to get to the free-throw line (ranked 30th in free-throw rate) undermines their offensive efficiency.

Defensively, Charlotte has some solid metrics, especially in limiting offensive rebounds and contesting shots at the rim. They rank 11th in opponent rim field goal percentage, and 13th in opponent 3-point percentage (35.7%). However, their inability to defend the mid-range game (25th in opponent mid-range field goal percentage) and their overall struggles in scoring efficiency (25th in eFG%) have made them vulnerable to high-scoring teams like Cleveland.

Conclusion

The Cavaliers have had the upper hand in recent matchups between these two teams. Cleveland won their last meeting 128-114 on November 14, improving their record to 6-4 SU against Charlotte in their last 10 games. When these teams meet, the over has been a solid bet, going 7-3 in their last 10 contests.

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