Cavs – Hornets Game Day Notes

Sunday, November 13th, 2016

WHEN: 3:30 PM EST
WHERE: @TheQArena, Cleveland, Ohio
WATCH: @FOXSportsOH
LISTEN: @WMMS 100.7 FM, @wtam1100, y La Mega 87.7FM

– Cavaliers (7-1, 1st in Central): Cleveland is once again atop the Eastern Conference after their come-from-behind victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night inside The Verizon Center (105-94).

Kyrie Irving led all Cleveland scorers in Friday night’s victory, recording a team-high 29 points, six assists, and two rebounds.

In Friday’s win over Washington, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 27,000 career points. Kobe Bryant previously held the record.

After being showered with water bottles in a post-win locker room by his teammates, James spoke to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin with regards to his milestone achievement, saying:

“They got all my clothes wet and everything, but that’s my guys so it’s always great to be able to accomplish something with such a great group of guys.”

Three Cleveland players are now averaging at least 20.0 points (Irving-24.5, James-23.4, Love-21.0).

Three Cavs are averaging at least 9.0 rebounds (James-9.0, Love-9.9, Thompson-9.3).

The Cavs have made at least 10 three-pointers in all eight of their games this season (ties NBA record for consecutive games with 10 or more triples to start a season. Houston, first eight games in 2014-15).

Today, the Cavs will look for continued success against a dangerous Hornets side.

Cleveland has won six of their last seven games against Charlotte, including last year’s 3-1 mark. Sunday’s matinee game will be the first of four meetings schuleduled this season between the two sides.

* Cavaliers projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Kyrie Irving (6′-3″, 193 lbs)
(SG) J.R. Smith (6′-6″, 225 lbs)
(SF) LeBron James (6′-8″, 250 lbs)
(PF) Kevin Love (6′-10″, 251 lbs)
(PF) Tristan Thompson (6′-10″, 238 lbs)

* Cavaliers injury report *

– (None)

– Hornets (6-2), 1st in Southeast): Charlotte will be looking to get back into the win column after dropping a tough one to the Toronto Raptors on Friday night inside The Spectrum Center (113-111). Despite Friday’s loss, the Hornets have won four of their previous five games.

Kemba Walker leads Charlotte in both scoring and assists. The former UCONN Husky stand-out and 9th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft is averaging 25.9 points and 5.6 assists through his first eight games of the season for the Hornets.

In Friday night’s loss to Toronto, Walker tallied a season-high 40 points (12-of-19 from the field, 7-of-12 from downtown), 10 rebounds, and six assists. Further bolstering his early-season resumé, Walker has scored 20 or more points in seven straight games.

Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford will have his guys ready for their bout against the defending champs. Clifford spoke to members of the media on Friday with regards to Charlotte’s hot start, saying:

“I love our team. I love what we can be. Our starters have played well, but our bench is the key.”

* Hornets projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Kemba Walker (6′-1″, 184 lbs)
(SG) Nicolas Batum (6′-8″, 200 lbs)
(SF) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (6′-7″, 232 lbs)
(PF) Marvin Williams (6′-9″, 237 lbs)
(C) Roy Hibbert (7′-2″, 270 lbs)

* Hornets injury report *

– (SF) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (back): Questionable
– (SF) Jeremy Lamb (hamstring): Out

* All stats and information via www.basketball-reference.com, www.rotoworld.com, www.nba.com, www.espn.com, Elias Sports Bureau, and The Associated Press *