Hornets' recent trip 'shows growth' as Cavaliers come to town

The Charlotte Hornets have something to build on, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will reflect on a one-sided loss after their most recent games when the teams meet Wednesday night in Charlotte.

The Hornets are back home following a 3-2 road trip that included victories against the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, two of the top six teams in the Western Conference.

The Hornets finished the trip on a high, dismantling Denver 110-87 on Sunday.

"It's really important and I think that the really great teams do both things -- they celebrate one another, they uplift each other and help push each other to be better," coach Charles Lee said. "And that's what holding each other accountable is, too. We have standards around here."

It was a big step for Charlotte, a franchise that hasn't won more than 27 games since 2021-22 and hasn't made the postseason since 2016.

"It shows growth," Hornets forward Miles Bridges said. "I don't think I've ever had a winning record going on the West Coast since I've been here. So for us to pull that off against good teams too, it's good for us and, hopefully, we can keep it going."

The Cavaliers had won two straight before a 136-104 loss Monday to visiting Oklahoma City.

"I didn't like our play, quite honestly, at either end," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said, noting shoddy choices on the court. "We have to understand, I think it was our reads in the game. We didn't read the game right. The decision-making was trouble."

The Hornets and Cavaliers split two December games in Cleveland, with the Hornets winning 119-111 in overtime before falling 139-132 eight days later, as Donovan Michell racked up 30 points for the Cavaliers.

Mitchell has been Cleveland's top scorer in seven of the last 10 games, though his 19 points Monday match the second-lowest total for the team's leading scorer in a game this season. He shot 5-for-18 from the field, including 1-for-9 on 3-pointers vs. Oklahoma City. He had made at least two 3-pointers in 14 consecutive games.

The Cavaliers will be anxious to be back on the court.

"You almost have to flush it," Atkinson said. "Obviously, we'll look at it. We'll try to get better from it. We've got to move on. We'll bounce back. We've got a good group. We've got to bounce back in Charlotte."

Atkinson said the Cavaliers need to adjust without guard Darius Garland. He's out with a toe sprain and hasn't played since last Wednesday.

"We got to have other guys step up and make plays," Atkinson said. "... Trust your teammates. They will make plays. We just have to do it more consistently."

Guard Sam Merrill also has been out for the same time frame with a hand injury.

"Get Sam healthy, that's the answer," Atkinson said.

With 29 points per game, Mitchell ranks seventh in the NBA. Charlotte's leading scorer is guard LaMelo Ball at 19.9; he had 23 points in the most recent outing vs. Cleveland.

Hornets swingman Brandon Miller averaged 22.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists across the past four games. He had Charlotte's top point total in the last two games.

--Field Level Media