Cavaliers Aim to Extend Win Streak Against Struggling Hornets

Cavaliers Seek 13th Straight Win Against Slumping Hornets

The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding the NBA’s longest active winning streak, a dominant 12-game stretch that has already secured them a playoff berth. As they prepare to face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, the challenge will be maintaining momentum and avoiding any complacency against a struggling opponent.

Charlotte, on the other hand, is heading in the opposite direction. With eight consecutive losses and ongoing struggles on both ends of the floor, the Hornets face an uphill battle against one of the league’s hottest teams.

Cleveland’s Dominance: More Than Just Luck

The Cavaliers have been rolling all season, and head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledges that while some fortune has played a role, their success is no accident.

“It seems like everything has gone our way this year,” Atkinson said. “Is there some luck? Sure there is because it’s so hard to win in the NBA. … We have had some fortune.”

The team’s chemistry, depth, and defensive intensity have been key factors in their rise. Donovan Mitchell, who has been the team’s leading scorer in nine of the last 13 games, emphasized that the team is keeping its focus on bigger goals.

Hornets’ Struggles: Searching for Answers

While Cleveland is cruising, Charlotte is stuck in reverse. Head coach Charles Lee has watched his team suffer from inconsistent effort and poor execution, particularly on defense.

“We just got to continue to stick with it,” Lee said. “The team continues to fight, but on every possession, we have to continue to fight and not have these long lulls during the game.”

One of Charlotte’s biggest problems has been roster instability. Injuries have forced constant lineup changes, and many of the Hornets’ young players lack the experience needed to make the right decisions in critical moments.

“When you’re indecisive, it holds you back,” Lee said.

Defensive Struggles Holding Back the Hornets

Charlotte’s issues are most visible on the defensive end, where lapses in communication have allowed opponents to build big early leads.

Lee pointed out that the Hornets’ struggles often start on offense. When the team fails to score efficiently, it affects their focus and intensity on the other end of the floor.

“I do think it’s our lack of conversion on offense sometimes,” Lee said. “Especially for young players and this team in general, we get focused a bit too much on the offensive side of the ball. We let a missed layup or a transition turnover affect us too much, and then it hurts our defensive side of the ball.”

Adding to the frustration, even when the Hornets do play solid defense, they often allow second-chance points.

“Good defensive process on the other end, and then you give up an offensive rebound,” Lee said. “Some of those plays can hurt your spirit at times.”

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Cavaliers’ Recent Success Against Charlotte

Cleveland has dominated the season series, winning all three matchups against the Hornets. Their most recent victory was a 115-105 home win on January 5.

Evan Mobley had a career-high 41 points in Cleveland’s 116-102 win over Charlotte on December 7.

While Donovan Mitchell has been Cleveland’s leading scorer for most of the season, he has yet to top the team’s scoring charts against Charlotte. The Cavaliers have gotten contributions from multiple players in these matchups, demonstrating their depth and versatility.

Key Players to Watch

For Cleveland, Mitchell remains the focal point, but the team’s success has been built on contributions from across the roster. Mobley has been dominant against the Hornets, and the team’s defensive presence has been a major factor in their winning streak.

For Charlotte, LaMelo Ball will need to carry the offensive load. Ball leads the Hornets with 26.2 points per game and has been their top scorer in two of the three matchups against Cleveland. Miles Bridges has also been a key contributor, scoring 26 points in Charlotte’s last game.

Brandon Miller, who led the Hornets in scoring in one of their previous matchups against Cleveland, is out for the season with a wrist injury, further limiting Charlotte’s offensive firepower.

What’s at Stake?

The Cavaliers are looking to extend their winning streak and continue building momentum as they push for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Atkinson and his team are focused on fine-tuning their execution as they prepare for the postseason.

For the Hornets, avoiding a ninth consecutive loss is the primary goal. More than just a win, they need to show better discipline on both ends of the court to stay competitive against elite teams.

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Prediction: Can Charlotte Put Up a Fight?

Cleveland enters this game as heavy favorites, and for good reason. They have dominated the matchup all season, while Charlotte’s defensive breakdowns and inconsistent offense make them vulnerable to another blowout.

The Hornets will need a near-flawless performance from Ball and Bridges, along with a significant improvement in defensive communication, to have any chance of pulling off an upset.

The Cavaliers, on the other hand, just need to keep playing at their current level. With a balanced offense and a top-tier defense, they should have no trouble securing their 13th straight victory.