Cavs Top 3: Darius Garland dazzled but Cleveland’s defense fizzled

The defense stalls out for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were downed once again, this time by the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. The Cavs lost every quarter and never once poised a real threat to the Hornets in a game that could only be described as a debacle. The Cavs couldn’t keep pace with the free-wheeling Hornets, and that was with Lamelo Ball all but out for the game.

Ball only played in eight minutes during the game due to early foul trouble, and the Cavaliers still couldn’t get things done. The team’s biggest issue was on defense, and not being able to slow down this high-powered Hornets team. This limited the number of offensive opportunities the team had, and it was a huge reason why the Cavs lost 119-98.

The Cavaliers are now 36-26 on the season and are now 1-5 in their last six.

Cleveland Cavaliers fall to Hornets in lopsided outing

Cavs Top 3

1. Lauri Markkanen
2. Jarrett Allen
3. Darius Garland

Lauri Markkanen gets the first point of the night. He put up 12 points, and five rebounds, with an additional three assists and two steals on the night. He was dynamic on the floor and he seems to be in a much better grove since the return from injury.

The two points for the night go to Jarrett Allen, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and while the Cavs defense struggled, Allen did all he could to slow the Hornets down.

Darius Garland gets the three-pointer for the night, with 33 points, four assists, but he did have seven turnovers which is never a good thing.

Yearly Standing:

1. (*Tie) Darius Garland/ Jarrett Allen (66 points)
2. Kevin Love (56)
3. Lauri Markkanen (39)
4. Evan Mobley (37 points)
5. (*Tie*) Cedi/OsmanRicky Rubio (32points)
6. (*Tie*) Dean Wade/Isaac Okoro (10 points)
7. Rajon Rondo (6 points)
8. Lamar Stevens (4 points)
9. Brandon Goodwin (3 points)
10. (*Tie*) Caris LeVert/Dylan Windler (1 point)