National Basketball Association

Takeaways From the Charlotte Hornets Defensive Struggle In Cleveland

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Charlotte Hornets found themselves on the short end of a tough defensive battle in Cleveland as the Cavs rode a red-hot Channing Frye to a 100-93 Victory.

This young Charlotte Hornets’ season has shown this team is talented enough to play with anyone in the NBA. Though talent and production often mean different things and the Hornets learned that the hard way in Cleveland. Channing Frye’s six daggers from downtown handed Charlotte their second straight loss for the first time this year.

Keys To The Contest

Top Options Perform Well

Cavaliers superstar Lebron James slipped through the cracks in Charlotte’s sixth-ranked defense  quite often down the stretch. Coming through in the fourth quarter with 11 points and five assists, and finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, and 8 assists.

Kevin Love made a big impact early on with 15 points in the opening quarter. However, the Hornets defense adjusted well to the onslaught and held Love to one bucket from that point on.

Kemba Walker continued his streak of 20 point games to start the season, hanging 21 points and four assists on the Cavaliers. Walker started the game on fire with an 11 point first quarter, and threes like this one were a huge factor.

Nicolas Batum turned in his best performance of the young season, splashing in 15 points, along with nine rebounds, and seven assists. Despite filling the stat sheet, Batum was one for five from long distance. Typically a strength of Batum’s, the three point shot just hasn’t been falling this season, as evidenced by his 30% mark from downtown.

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Bench Play Heroics

Channing Frye was the key to victory for Cleveland, pouring in 20 points off the bench. Frye did most of his damage from beyond the arc, finishing six of twelve from deep. He snuck around the  perimeter for open looks all game and even got involved defensively. The seven-footer viciously denied Spencer Hawes in the second half, but Hawes would later return the favor with a denial of his own.

Marco Belinelli provided the Hornets with a much-needed spark off the bench. Belinelli came in and hit some quick threes to erase a 10 point deficit before the half. The Italian has been worth the first-round pick and then some this season, and shots like these are proof he’s comfortable in his new role.

Other than Belinelli, the Charlotte bench was none existent, as no other reserve finished with more than six points. Frank Kaminsky had his worst outing yet this season, scoring three points on one of six shooting.

Looking Ahead

MKG Returns With Force

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made a big impact in this contest after he had to sit out Friday’s battle with the Raptors. He showed zero discomfort with his injured back and played beautifully in the process, splashing in 11 points while adding 10 rebounds. Providing the Kentucky product with his second double-double on the season.

His defense was the most crucial contribution, matching up with Lebron James for the whole game, and limiting him to 40% from the field.

Minnesota Bound

Charlotte will now travel to Minneapolis for a Tuesday night matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team the Hornets have beaten five straight times. Steve Clifford’s crew hopes to see Jeremy Lamb return to the lineup, The UConn commodity worked through some non-contact drills on Saturday and Clifford is hopeful he can suit up against Minnesota.

Lamb’s return would bring the Hornets roster to full strength for the first time this season.

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