Rare enough to be highlighted, Charlotte showed up (almost) in full force last night in Ohio to try to thwart the undisputed leader of the Eastern Conference. In fact, only Seth Curry (knee) and Grant Williams, long-term injured, were missing when starting a mission that seemed very complicated! Faced with a collective as well-oiled and determined as that developed by Kenny Atkinson's Cavaliers, the Hornets quickly revised their copy.
The impact of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen first forced Charles Lee to stop the game after two minutes (9-2). Brandon Miller's three baskets, including two behind the arc, quickly put Charlotte back in the swing of things, leading to a 12-2 run initiated by Georges Niang and concluded by Donovan Mitchell. After 12 minutes of a first act concluded by LaMelo Ball's 3-pointer, Charlotte was still holding on (29-23). But that was without counting on the acceleration given by the locals during the following 9 minutes to increase the gap to +24!
Flood of 3-pointers
It was indeed an avalanche of 3-point baskets that fell on the Hornets defense, between Evan Mobley, Max Strus, Dean Wade, and Ty Jerome twice, in order to inexorably increase the gap. Jarett Allen added three more baskets to finish the first half at 7/7 shooting while Darius Garland put the icing on the cake with free throws (59-35).
On the edge of the precipice, Charlotte managed to stay alive until the break thanks to the talent of LaMelo Ball who fueled a 13-4 to end the period (63-48). But the hope was short-lived, as Cleveland regained control of the match without letting go until the end.
This time, it was Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland who made the rain and especially the good weather in scoring, with two 3-point baskets for the leader at the initiative and at the conclusion of an 11-2 in order to replace the Hornets at a good distance (87-66). Donovan Mitchell also made his two 3-point baskets to finish the job at the start of the last quarter (99-80). The brilliant strokes of LaMelo Ball, Cody Martin and Mark Williams were all doom and gloom, with the fate of the match already decided.
Winners 115-105, the Cavaliers will now prepare for the shock awaited by the entire NBA as mid-season approaches, against OKC this Wednesday.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
The Mobley-Allen pair, the nightmare of the Hornets. Charlotte particularly suffered in the paint, both in attack and defense, and the impact of twin towers Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is clearly no stranger to this. Each in turn, the two interiors of the Cavaliers displayed their domination, with counterattack, deterrence, good fouls, but also spectacle in attack, like the 7/7 shooting by Jarrett Allen in the first half. time. Opposite, poor Mark Williams tasted well, and his acolytes Nick Richards and Taj Gibson could hardly do better.
Everything is going well for Cleveland. And ten! Behind OKC, the Cavaliers are the second team in good shape at the start of the season, and for them too, the good series continues with a 10th consecutive success and a little particularity in addition, Cleveland has won its ten games by ten points. deviation each time. It is also the best record in the NBA this season at home with 18 wins in 19 games in front of OKC. Next match? The Thunder at home this Wednesday! Conversely, Charlotte continues to dig in with a tenth consecutive defeat…
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
