Cavaliers defeat sloppy Hornets again without Mitchell, Allen

CHARLOTTE,N.C. (AP) — Evan Mobley had 26 points and the Cleveland Cavaliersscored 35 points off Charlotte turnovers to beat the Hornets forthe second time in three days, 120-104 on Tuesday night.

Cedi Osmanscored 24 points off the bench and Caris LeVert added 22 points andseven assists for the Cavaliers, who played without All-Star guardDonovan Mitchell (sprained finger) and center Jarrett Allen (eyecontusion).

DariusGarland chipped in 19 points for the Cavaliers, who entered thegame in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, 3 1/2 games behindthe Philadelphia 76ers. The Cavs have won five of their last sixgames.

“We’re readyfor that playoff basketball mindset,” said Cavaliers forward LamarStevens, who got the start at the 4 spot and finished with 11points. “We are ready for whatever is up next. I think we arereally connected and focusing on the details to get us to where wewant to go and to make a big run later in the playoffs. So we needbig games like this.”

Kelly OubreJr. had 28 points and Terry Rozier added 22 points and 10 assistsfor the Hornets, who have lost three straight and fell to 11-27 athome.

The Hornetsnever looked in sync offensively. Charlotte turned the ball over 22times in all — many of those self-inflicted — while Cleveland hadjust nine turnovers leading to six points for the Hornets.

“There’s areason why they’re the best defensive team in the NBA — they createa lot of turnovers, they’re physical, they have size,” Hornetscoach Steve Clifford said. “When you get behind, it’s hard to comeback. We had 10 more (turnovers) in the second half. You’re justnot going to win” playing that way.”

The Cavaliersneeded to erase a 16-point second-half deficit on Sunday to beatthe Hornets 114-108, getting 28 points from Garland.

They didn’tneed a comeback Tuesday.

The Cavaliersjumped out to a 63-48 lead at halftime after scoring 25 points on15 Charlotte turnovers, while only turning the ball over oncethemselves. The Cavs stretched the lead to 22 late in the thirdquarter, and at one point had outscored the Hornets 31-0 offturnovers.

“Understanding the value of every possession, that’s one of thethings that we’ve been talking to the guys about is as the gamesbecome bigger, more critical, every possession matters,” Cavs coachJ.B. Bickerstaff said. “Being able to get a shot on goal matters.When you have guys who can create, who can score, it’s important toput it up on the rim, at least give yourself a chance.”

Charlottenever challenged in the second half and Clifford subbed out hisstarters with four minutes to play and his team down by 19.

ALLENIS DAY TO DAY

Allen missedhis second straight game with a right eye contusion he sustained inFriday night’s loss to Miami, and the Cavaliers are taking things“day to day” with their 6-foot-9 center, Bickerstaff said.

“With Jarrettit is just a matter of how quickly it recovers,” Bickerstaff said.“With eyes it’s difficult to put a timetable on it.”

The 2022 NBAAll-Star is in the midst of another strong season averaging 14.4points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game whileshooting 64.9% from the field.

Mitchell isexpected to play Wednesday night versus Philadelphia as his absencewas more about injury maintenance.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers:Signedguard Sam Merrill to a multi-yearcontracton Tuesday. The 6-foot-4, 197-pound Merrillsigned a 10-day contract with the team on March 3 and appeared inone game for the Cavaliers.

Hornets:Dennis Smith Jr. had a flying one-handed dunk over Dean Wade off abaseline drive late in the third quarter. ... Center Mark Williamsmissed his fourth straight game with a sprained thumb.

UPNEXT

Cavaliers:Host Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

Hornets: HostPhiladelphia on Friday night.