The Cleveland Cavaliers started the game with a 21-point lead in the first quarter and defeated the Charlotte Hornets 94-87 for their fifth road victory in the last six games on Wednesday night.
Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell dropped 24 points, Evan Mobley added 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Jaylon Tyson contributed 14 points and Jarod Allen added 13 points and nine rebounds.
On the other end, Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 24 points and Kon Knueppel had 21 and 11 rebounds, but made just 8 of 46 three-point attempts and were outscored 60-47.
Cleveland started with a big lead in the first quarter after making 11 of 15 shots from the field to open the game.
The Cavaliers’ suffocating on-ball defense repeatedly forced the Hornets into uncharacteristic turnovers and rushed shots.
Mitchell set the tone for the Cavaliers with 14 points in the first half, and Cleveland’s defense kept Charlotte from ever gaining momentum in the first two quarters.
The Hornets tied a season low with 12 points in the second quarter and trailed 56-32 at halftime.
Meanwhile, Charlotte head coach Charles Lee brought LaMelo Ball back off the bench during the first of a back-to-back in an effort to preserve his body, but the move backfired as Ball had one of the worst nights of his career.
Ball finished with four points on 1-of-15 shooting, going 0-of-10 from beyond the three-point line.
The Cavaliers host the Kings on Friday, while the Hornets visit Orlando on Thursday.
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