Cavs Collapse in Charlotte, Fall 106-97 to Hornets

The Cavaliers travelled to Charlotte on Wednesday following a big win in Indiana on Monday night, and had one of their worst games since Tyronn Lue took over as Head Coach, blowing a nine-point lead at halftime to fall 106-97.

The Cavs looked sluggish in the first quarter against the Hornets, who were without Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson. Matthew Dellavedova did not play for the Cavs.

Cleveland managed to enter the second quarter tied at 23, despite being out-rebounded significantly and not playing with much energy.

It stayed close for most of the second quarter, before the Cavs ended the half on a big run and entered halftime leading 58-49.

It was the second game in a row that Cleveland came out of the gate flat to start the second half, as they were outscored 33-17 in the third quarter. The last two games the Cavs have been outscored in the 3rd quarter 63-32.

The Cavs could not mount a comeback and would fall 106-97. With the loss, Cleveland is now 5-2 under Coach Lue and 35-13 overall on the season.

Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 26 points.

LeBron James scored 23.

Kevin Love, who was averaging 20 points per game over the last four games, only scored 12 on 4-of-12 shooting.

The Cavs were out-rebounded 49-28.

Charlotte’s backup point guard, Jeremy Lin filled in for Walker and led the way in scoring for the Hornets with 24 points.