The Cleveland Cavaliers kept their hot streak alive Friday night, pulling away late to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 118-113 for their seventh straight win and 12th in the past 13 games.
Donovan Mitchell led the way with 32 points, scoring 13 in the fourth quarter to close it out. Mitchell knocked down a short jumper and four free throws in the final 40 seconds after Charlotte trimmed the deficit to four, sealing the victory. He finished 12 of 13 from the free-throw line.
Jared Allen added 25 points and 14 rebounds, while James Harden contributed 18 points and eight assists as Cleveland dominated inside, outscoring Charlotte 50-28 in the paint.
Charlotte was paced by rookie sharpshooter Kon Knueppel, who erupted for 33 points and drilled seven 3-pointers. His 193 made 3s this season are the second-most ever by a rookie, trailing only Keegan Murray’s 206 in 2022-23. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller scored 18 points apiece, and rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Cleveland built a 14-point lead in the second quarter before Knueppel caught fire, hitting four 3s in the first half to keep the Hornets within six. Charlotte briefly grabbed the lead late in the third behind three more Knueppel triples. Miller’s and-one layup off a no-look pass from Ball cut the deficit to four with one minute remaining, but Mitchell’s late scoring burst put the game away.
The Hornets played without suspended forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, as well as Grant Williams, who was sidelined for knee injury management.
Up next:
Cleveland travels to Oklahoma City on Sunday, while Charlotte visits Washington that night.
