Where to watch
Catch the Hornets-Cavaliers game at 8:00 am live on League Pass
Previous matchup
November 2, 2021: Cavaliers 113, Hornets 110
What’s going on with the Charlotte Hornets?
There seems to be no end in sight for the Charlotte Hornets’ rollercoaster ride. After a loss to the Boston Celtics, Charlotte has now gone 5-5 in their last 10 games. Inconsistent play, particularly on the defensive end which was evident in the team’s setback to the Celtics, has been the biggest culprit for their losses. Despite a career-high 38 points from LaMelo Ball, Charlotte just couldn’t get the stops it needed down the stretch to grab a big road win.
Charlotte now goes on a 4-game homestand which should be key for the team if they wish to rise in the standings and avoid the Play-In Tournament. However, with their starting assignment being the Cleveland Cavaliers, no game should ever be taken for granted.
What’s going on with the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Though the Cavs have been arguably the biggest surprise this season, they’ve fallen on shaky ground as of late, losing two of their last three games. Injuries have been the biggest reason, with recently anointed All-Star Darius Garland joining versatile forward Lauri Markkanen on the injured list.
But the Cavaliers have shown that they still have some fight in them, and it begins with their brilliant rookie Evan Mobley. Though the team lost against Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets, Mobley made an excellent account of himself with a career-high 29 points. His brilliant play has been one of the biggest reasons for Cleveland’s turnaround and he should get all the opportunities to do damage against the Hornets’ frontcourt.
Storyline to watch out for
Soak in LaMelo Ball versus Evan Mobley part two. Without question, these two are some of the biggest reasons to be excited about the NBA’s future. With averages of 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, Mobley has a clear lane to win Rookie of the Year even if Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham is starting to catch up. Mobley’s consistent play goes beyond the stat sheet; his calming presence and steely nerves are what make him so impressive. Watch him play and you can almost mistake him for a veteran player who’s been in the league for eight years.
Ball, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. He has the twitchy, bouncy game of an 18-year-old kid that had too many Slurpees for merienda. The way that he hops at the top of the key to begin his dribble penetration and the ease with which he goes to his floaters or dipsy-doo layups are marks of a future star playing with a ton of confidence.
The reigning ROY versus the leading ROY candidate. What could be more fun?
