Cavs at Hornets preview and gamethread
Cavs can continue growing their win streak.
The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Charlotte Hornets for the second time this season. The last one ended in a victory — let’s see if they can repeat those results.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (18-3) at. Charlotte Hornets (6-16)
Where: Spectrum Center - Charlotte, NC
When: 1:00 p.m., Saturday Dec. 7
TV: Fanduel Sports Network Ohio (previously Bally Sports), NBA League Pass
Line: -11.5
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.
Cavs injury report: Isaac Okoro - QUESTIONABLE (knee), Max Strus - OUT (ankle), Craig Porter Jr. - OUT (illness), Emoni Bates - OUT (knee)
Expected Hornets starting lineup: Vasilije Micic, Brandon Miller, Cody Martin, Josh Green, Mark Williams
Hornets injury report: LaMelo Ball - OUT (calf), Miles Bridges - OUT (knee), Tre Mann - OUT (disc), Nic Richards - QUESTIONABLE (ankle), Tidjane Salaun - OUT(ANKLE), Grant Williams - ACL (OUT)
Fear the Sword will be hosting a live stream watch party for select games this year on Playback. Join Tony Pesta as we react to all the action.
What to watch for
Charlotte has lost seven straight while the Cavaliers are rolling behind three consecutive wins. Cleveland has nearly tripled the Hornets' win total through the first quarter of the season — suggesting this game might be another steamroller.
The Hornets will have an uphill battle to climb with few frontcourt options available to fend off Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Charlotte’s thin rotation will leave them helpless if Cleveland’s two-bigs enter this game with authority.
Meanwhile, the Hornets don’t offer much more resistance on the perimeter, either. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell will be comfortable against Charlotte’s best backcourt defenders. Overall, the Hornets rank 23rd in Defensive Rating.
Still, the Cavaliers shouldn't play with fire. Brandon Miller is averaging 28 points across his previous 9 games. Fortunately, the Cavaliers have some prior success in this matchup — holding Miller to 15 points in their previous matchup. We’ll see if the Hornets rely on Miller more with Ball out of the lineup.
The Cavs have to avoid playing down to their competition this season. With the NBA’s best record, Cleveland will be hunted all year long. Charlotte is going to get up for this game. The Cavaliers can’t afford to take the night off and expect the job to finish itself.