Cavaliers Look to Keep Rolling as Hornets Search for Answers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding high, looking like a team that’s completely figured things out. With a nine-game winning streak under their belt, they’ll welcome the Charlotte Hornets to Cleveland on Sunday night. On the flip side, the Hornets are stuck in a brutal nine-game losing streak and are desperate to turn things around. Let’s break it down.

Cavs: Dominating the Court

The Cavs are on fire right now. They’re not just winning games; they’re making it look easy. Coming off a clean 4-0 sweep of their road trip, Cleveland capped it off with a 134-122 win over Dallas on Friday. Evan Mobley went off for 34 points in that game, reminding everyone why he’s one of the rising stars in the league.

Coach Kenny Atkinson is loving the vibe. “This group is locked in. They expect to win every game,” he said. And honestly, it shows. They’ve only lost four games all season, and they’re finally back at home after being away since December 23. Safe to say, the crowd in Cleveland will be hyped.

Hornets: Can’t Catch a Break

For the Hornets, it’s been the complete opposite story. Friday’s 98-94 loss to Detroit hurt — they were up by 13 at halftime and still found a way to lose.

It’s been that kind of season for Charlotte, where they’ve lost 17 of their last 18 games. Yikes.

Bridges has been the one steady piece for the team lately, leading them in scoring, assists, and rebounds over the past few games. But even he can’t do it all, especially with stars like LaMelo Ball and rookie Brandon Miller out with injuries. Coach Charles Lee said they’re making progress, but playing Sunday? Not likely.

What Makes Cleveland So Tough?

The Cavs have this special kind of chemistry that’s hard to defend. They move the ball like it’s second nature. Coach Atkinson put it best: “Our guys just love to pass. It’s not just skill — it’s a mindset.” That unselfish style of play makes Cleveland’s offense a nightmare for defenses.

And defensively? They’re no slouches there either. Charlotte will need to bring their A-game just to keep it close.

Season Recap: Cleveland Owns It

This is the third time these two teams are meeting this season, and the Cavs have dominated both games. They won 128-114 back in November and followed it up with a 116-102 win in December. Evan Mobley was unstoppable in the last game, dropping a career-high 41 points. Meanwhile, Charlotte struggled to keep up, even when they had Ball and Miller on the floor.

What to Watch For

Let’s be real: the Cavs are the heavy favorites. They’ve got the momentum, the home crowd, and a lineup that’s clicking on all cylinders. For the Hornets, this is about pride and maybe finding some sort of spark to end their slump. Miles Bridges will need to carry the load again, but he’ll need help if Charlotte wants any shot at an upset.

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Bottom Line

This game is all about streaks — Cleveland’s trying to extend theirs, and Charlotte’s trying to snap theirs. The Cavs have all the tools to keep rolling, but hey, anything can happen in the NBA. Will Cleveland keep cruising, or can Charlotte shock everyone and steal a win? Tune in Sunday to find out.