Cavs at Hornets preview and gamethread

Cavs can continue growing their win streak.

The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Charlotte Hornets for the second time this season. The last one ended in a victory — let’s see if they can repeat those results.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (18-3) at. Charlotte Hornets (6-16)

Where: Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC

When: 1:00 p.m., Saturday Dec. 7

TV: Fanduel Sports Network Ohio (previously Bally Sports), NBA League Pass

Line: Unavailable

Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.

Cavs injury report: Unavailable

Expected Hornets starting lineup: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Josh Green, Miles Bridges, Mark Williams

Hornets injury report: Unavailable

Fear the Sword will be hosting a live stream watch party for select games this year on Playback. Join Tony Pesta as we react to all the action.

What to watch for

Charlotte has lost seven straight while the Cavaliers are rolling behind three consecutive wins. Cleveland has nearly tripled the Hornets’ win total through the first quarter of the season — suggesting this game might be another steamroller.

The Hornets will have an uphill battle to climb with few frontcourt options available to fend off Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Charlotte’s thin rotation will leave them helpless if Cleveland’s two-bigs enter this game with authority.

Meanwhile, the Hornets don’t offer much more resistance on the perimeter, either. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell will be comfortable against Charlotte’s best backcourt defenders. Overall, the Hornets rank 23rd in Defensive Rating.

Still, the Cavaliers shouldn’t play with fire. Brandon Miller is averaging 28 points across his previous 9 games while LaMelo Ball always poses a threat to wreak havoc. Fortunatley, the Cavaliers have some prior success in this matchup — holding Miller to 15 poitns in their previous matchup. Ball, on the other hand, scored 31 points to go with 12 assists.

The Cavs have to avoid playing down to their competition this season. With the NBA’s best record, Cleveland will be hunted all year long. Charlotte is going to get up for this game. The Cavaliers can’t afford to take the night off and expect the job to finish itself.