When the two teams play against one another on Tuesday night in Charlotte, it will be the second time in as many days that Cleveland and Charlotte have competed against one another.
The latest injury update for the Hornets and the Cavaliers
Although the Hornets have fallen on a losing streak again, they are still more competitive than they were when they started the season 15-43 (after 58 games).
During the second half of February, the Hornets went on a five-game winning streak, but point guard LaMelo Ball was injured and would miss the rest of the season.
After winning three straight games, they cooled off before last week’s victories against the Knicks and Pistons. Since then, Charlotte has lost two games by a total of ten points, the most recent of which was Sunday’s meeting with Cleveland.
In that game, despite being 10-point underdogs, the Hornets were able to cover the spread for the third time in four contests.
Kelly Oubre Jr. (back) and Mark Williams (thumb) are both doubtful for tonight’s game, while Lonzo Ball is gone for the year.
Aside from Ball and Terry Rozier, Oubre Jr. is the team’s third leading scorer (20.4). (21.4). Prior to Sunday, Oubre had scored in double figures in six consecutive games. His availability for Sunday’s game was in question until very late in the day.
Although the Hornets’ loss was sealed by turnovers, their 25 assists on 41 field goals were impressive. In seven of his last eight games, Rozier has scored 20 points or more. In terms of scoring average, Charlotte is 26th in the NBA (111.8)
The Hornets Injury
- Cody Martin( Knee): Expected to be out until at least Mar 17
- Mark Williams (Thumb): Expected to be out until at least Mar 17
- James Bouknight (Ankle): Game Time Decision
- Kelly Oubre Jr. (Back): Game Time Decision
- LaMelo Ball (Ankle): Out for the season
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After splitting last week’s doubleheader in Miami, the Cleveland Cavaliers kept their winning streak alive with a 114-108 victory over Charlotte on Sunday.
Prior to leaving for their current four-game road trip, the Cavaliers won two more games, against Detroit and Boston.
Thanks to a late comeback victory on Sunday, they are now in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
During the break, Charlotte’s lead was 14 points, but Cleveland slowly chipped away and eventually grabbed the advantage.
The Cavaliers are the best defensive club in the NBA, ranking first by allowing only 106.7 points per game, and they generated 19 turnovers on the night. Eight of their last 11 games have had overs despite their outstanding defense.
The setback at Miami on Friday night kept guard Darius Garland out, but he returned on Sunday to lead all scorers with 28 points.
Teammate Jarrett Allen is questionable for this contest after missing Sunday’s game due to an eye ailment he sustained on Friday.
Allen averages 14.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, good enough for fourth in scoring and first in rebounding, respectively.
Donovan Mitchell, the starting point guard, is putting up 27.6 points and dishing out 4.7 assists per game, while Darius Garland is chipping in 22.1 points and 7.9 dimes.
With Garland‘s return to the starting lineup, Caris LeVert took his place on the bench, yet he still managed to put up 15 points and 4 assists.
Against Cleveland’s offense, Charlotte’s defense ranks 24th in points allowed per contest (117.5).
The Cavaliers Injury
- Jarrett Allen (Eye): Expected to be out until at least Mar 15