Live Thread: Cavs vs. Hornets (#ItStings)

The pungent stench on the Cavs’ season hasn’t yet reached Sex Panther levels… but it certainly seems to be trending in that general direction. After a close loss to their fellow Lottery scratchers, the Chicago Bulls, the Cavs return home winners of just one of their first dozen games. To add stinging injury to insult, Kyle Korver (foot/possible trade) will now join Kevin Love (toe surgery), George Hill (right shoulder sprain), Sam Dekker (left ankle sprain), Cedi Osman (lower back spasms) and possibly JR Smith (illness) on the shelf. This leaves Larry Drew with about 8-9 healthy bodies to throw at the Hornets when they visit the Q tonight (unless they call a guy or two up from the Charge).

Charlotte already ended it’s nine game losing streak against Cleveland 10 days ago in a 126-94 blowout, and they’ll look to end their seven game road losing streak against the short-handed Cavs. The Stingers are a one point OT loss to the Sixers away from being on a four game win streak, and have looked impressive and energized lately behind their PG tandem of Kemba Walker and Tony Parker.

Meanwhile, it’s not all bad for the Cavs, as ownership has gotten what it wants (due to injury) with all the young dudes (minus Cedi) logging heavy minutes. Collin Sexton has looked somewhat improved in his starting role since Hill went down, as he and Rodney Hood both went for 20 on Saturday night. One of the older dudes, Tristan Thompson, has also been pulling his weight with three consecutive double doubles, logging 51 points and 43 boards over that stretch. Still, starting TT next to Larry Nance, Jr. is a floor clogging accident waiting to happen. Anyone else think mixing in Ante Zizic or Channing Frye at the 5 a bit more might help?

Oh, the Cavs also premiere their new Cleveland City uniforms and home floor tonight. Nothing like a new look to take away the sting of those drab, grey… oh, wait…

Probably the less said about that, the better… where are my Tide Pods…

Prediction: The Cavs continue to look better against better competition, but run out of bodies and get stung by the Hornets 119-109.

Catch all the action (checks to see if Duke is playing… nope, not until tomorrow night) starting at 7pm EST on NBATV and Fox Sports Ohio. And, of course, chime in/commiserate here…