The Hornets opened the season with a loss on the road against Cleveland on Wednesday, 121-114.
After a fairly competitive first quarter into the start of the second period, the Cavaliers shot away by halftime, turning a four-point lead into a 21-point halftime advantage. From there, Cleveland did not slow down in the second half offensively, never allowing the Hornets to get close.
Terry Rozier set his career-high in points, pouring in 42 points with the majority of those coming in the second half and the fourth quarter specifically. Gordon Hayward added 28 points and Bismack Biyombo and Devonte’ Graham were the lone other players in double figures with 11 and 10, respectively.
Cleveland’s backcourt of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland combined for 49 points in the win.
