Hornets Gameday: versus Cleveland Cavaliers
7 p.m., Spectrum Center
TV: Fox Sports Southeast Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.
Projected Starters
Hornets | Cavaliers | |||||
Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | |
G K. Walker | 22.3 | 4 | G K. Irving | 23.9 | 3.6 | |
G N. Batum | 14.8 | 7.7 | G D. Liggins | 3 | 1.7 | |
F M. Kidd-Gilchrist | 9 | 6.9 | F L. James | 25.4 | 7.9 | |
F M. Williams | 10.3 | 5.3 | F K. Love | 22 | 10.9 | |
C C. Zeller | 10.9 | 6.3 | C T. Thompson | 7.1 | 10.1 | |
Matchup to Watch
LeBron James vs. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist/Nic Batum: James had one of his best games of this season last time against the Hornets, totaling 44 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. They must contain him better to have a chance in this game.
Observations
▪ The Cavaliers, leading the Eastern Conference with a 24-7 record, have won the first two of four games with the Hornets this season, so they can clinch the series with a victory New Year’s Eve.
▪ The Hornets are on a season-best, five-game home winning streak. That’s the most consecutive home victories since an eight-game streak last February and March.
Tap-ins
▪ The Cavaliers are playing without shooting guard J.R. Smith, who’s recovering from a thumb fracture.
▪ The Hornets list Marco Belinelli as doubtful to play. He’s missed the past three games with an ankle sprain.
Did you know?
The Hornets are a combined 0-5 this season against Eastern Conference powers Cleveland, Toronto and Boston.
Rick Bonnell
This story was originally published December 30, 2016 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Hornets Gameday: versus Cleveland Cavaliers."