Grayson Allen poured in 27 points while Naz Reid added 25 points and 13 rebounds to power the Charlotte Hornets to a 124-112 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. This win ended a six-game losing streak for the home team, who had not secured a win at all during the month of November prior to this game. The Hornets built a massive lead early and held off a late Cavaliers rally to secure the 12-point win in front of a local crowd.
The Hornets entered the game with a shaky offense, sitting with the second-worst three-point percentage in the entire NBA heading into Monday. Despite missing their leading scorer Brandon Miller, who left the previous Friday with groin tightness, the team found a new rhythm from deep. Charlotte shot 23-for-46 on three-pointers, a massive improvement that included six made shots from Allen and four from Reid. These two players combined for 32 of the team’s first 44 points, setting the tone before the first quarter even ended.
Bench Sparks Early Lead
While the starters got hot, the Hornets’ bench unit provided a massive lift with 43 total points. Tidjane Salaun contributed 14 points and Royce O’Neale added 10 points to the effort. Coby White delivered 10 points and eight assists to sustain offensive flow as Sion James added 11 points. Ryan Kalkbrenner controlled the glass with 15 rebounds, helping Charlotte dominate the boards throughout the night. The Hornets held a 69-53 lead at halftime and led by as many as 33 points at one stage.
The Cavaliers struggled to keep pace, shooting 51.2% from the field but failing to close the gap until late. Meleek Thomas led Cleveland with 18 points off the bench, while Payton Watson added 13 points. Jarrett Allen recorded 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds for the visitors. James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Thomas Bryant each scored 11 points, but the Cavaliers could not find enough offense to overcome the early deficit. Donovan Mitchell had a season-low scoring night, going just 4-of-11 from the field.
Late Rally Falls Short
The Cavaliers tried to mount a comeback in the final minutes, pulling within 118-110 on a three-pointer by Meleek Thomas with less than four minutes remaining. However, the Hornets regained control when Ryan Kalkbrenner tipped in a missed shot by Naz Reid. Royce O’Neale followed that play with another three-pointer to seal the game. Despite managing just 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Hornets secured the victory. This result was crucial given that the team had suffered losses of 47, 33, and 39 points in their recent games.
Despite the win, the Hornets still face a difficult road ahead with a roster missing several key players. Coby White, who was given a $74 million deal this offseason, remains a key starter for the squad. According to Sports Illustrated, the Hornets have lost six straight games and have yet to win in November before this victory.
Next Stop on the Road
The Cavaliers now face a tough week on the road as they begin a three-game trip. Cleveland sits at a 5-5 record after losing three of their last four games. The team will continue their travel schedule following this loss in Charlotte. Sports Illustrated reports that the Cavaliers face a three-game road trip this week, starting Monday night in uptown Charlotte.
