Live Thread: Cavs @ Hornets (#WatchTheStingers)

The Cavaliers flew into Charlotte yesterday for the second stop on this quick road trip tonight against the Hornets. It’s actually the last time the wine & gold will be away from their own hive at the Q until the 21st of the month, and one of just three remaining road games for all of February (well, everyone that is, except for LeBron, Tyronn Lue and the Cavs’ coaching staff who will be traveling to Toronto for All Star Weekend). On the surface, this looks to be a fairly easy buzz through the Queen City for the King and his men… especially given that the Hornets’ starting PG, Kemba Walker, will likely have his wings clipped for this one with a knee injury.

Charlotte may also be without Nic Batum (toe), but will have a few members of it’s colony back with Jeremy Lamb and the fully healthy Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The Cavs would be wise not to look past this Hornets team, even without a healthy Walker, however. Charlotte certainly still has the ability to slow the Cavs in transition and protect the rim. According to ESPN stats, they are second in the NBA with 38.5 points allowed in the paint per game and are among the top 10 with 11.8 allowed on the fast break. Even when the Cavs swatted them 95-90 in a win at Charlotte on Nov. 27, both teams had just six fast break points each, and the Cavs owned only a 40-36 advantage in the paint. Of course, Kyrie Irving didn’t play in that game, and without Kemba to stay with him, points may be a little easier to come by.

On the Cavs’ side, LeBron himself was reportedly dealing with the after-effects of a stinger (of a different kind) that he suffered during the third quarter of Cleveland’s overtime win against the Pacers on Monday. He is expected to play, although Matthew Dellavedova has been called a game-time decision by Coach Lue, as he’s apparently been dealing with a sore hamstring for the last week. If Delly can’t go, expect to see some rare Mo Williams action. And, on that topic… while the Cavs really need to work on shoring up their recently honeycombed defense, this may not be the game we see it completely jell with the potential change in the back court. Still, they should be able to push their winning streak to six games.

Cavs likely starting lineup includes: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. And, for the Hornets: Jeremy Lin, Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin Williams and Spencer Hawes.

Game time is 7 p.m. (EST), and the action can be seen on FSO, or heard on 1100 WTAM.

Prediction: Cavs take a few stings, but outrun the Hornets 108-101.

Commence buzzing…