Darius Garland scored 25 points and Jarrett Allen posted a double-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their 10th straight game with a 115-105 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Allen paired 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting with 11 rebounds for Cleveland, which also got 19 points from Donovan Mitchell and 17 from Evan Mobley. Georges Niang chipped in 10 points off the bench as the Cavaliers continued to roll after completing a 4-0 road trip.
Even with its top two offensive players, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, back in action, Charlotte was pummeled en route to its 10th straight loss. Ball and Miller finished with 24 points apiece in their first games since Dec. 26.
Miller drained six 3-point shots, while Ball was just 3-of-11 from long range even after making his final two attempts.
Miles Bridges managed 11 points after leading the Hornets in scoring in each of their past three games. Mark Williams also scored 11 and Nick Smith Jr. supplied 18 off the bench.
The Cavaliers shot 49 percent from the floor in the first half and carried a 63-48 lead into the break. Cleveland was up by as many as 24 in the second quarter but watched its lead shrivel as Ball made five free throws during Charlotte’s 8-0 run to close the half.
Cleveland swelled the margin to 21 points in the third quarter and entered the fourth leading 91-78. Garland’s free throw put the Cavaliers up 104-84 with 7:22 left, and the Hornets never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
Seth Curry, who had been in a starting role for Charlotte with Ball and Miller out, didn’t play Sunday due to right knee soreness. The Hornets have dropped 18 of their last 19 games and are 2-14 on the road this season.
Cleveland improved to 3-0 against Charlotte this season, with all three wins coming by double digits.
