Cavaliers rally behind Mitchell’s 30 as they top Hornets 139‑132

Breaking News: Cavaliers Erase Deficit to Beat Hornets 139-132

CLEVELAND – Donovan Mitchell erupted for 30 points as Cleveland stormed to a 139-132 victory over Charlotte on Monday night, snapping a three-game slide and reclaiming momentum late in the season.

De’Andre Hunter supplied 27 points,including 15 in the second half,fueling the Cavaliers’ surge after a tight start. Darius Garland added 27 points and 10 assists, helping Cleveland pull away in the final period.

The Cavaliers had been tripped up by three straight home losses and sit at 2-5 at their arena since late November.

Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 23 points and nine assists, drilling six three-pointers. Two Charlotte rookies reached 20 points apiece, while Moussa Diabaté collected a season-high 14 rebounds.

In a key moment early in the third where the Cavaliers rallied, Hunter absorbed a flagrant foul and remained in the game, converting both free throws and a subsequent three-pointer to push the lead to 98-85.

Dean Wade added 14 points and seven rebounds as Cleveland extended its advantage to a game-best 131-112. The night served as a strong response for the cavaliers ahead of a busy stretch heading into the holiday season.

Game Details at a Glance

Category	Cavaliers	Hornets
Final score	139	132
top scorer	Donovan Mitchell – 30	LaMelo Ball – 23
Garland	27 points, 10 assists	–
Hunter	27 points	–
Diabaté rebounds	–	14
Largest lead	131-112	–

What This Means Now

The victory halts a rough stretch at home and provides Cleveland with a much-needed confidence boost as they approach a demanding December slate. Mitchell’s scoring burst and Garland’s distribution plus Hunter’s timely second-half impact illustrate a balanced attack that can carry the Cavaliers in close games.

Charlotte, meanwhile, got strong performances from Ball and a pair of rookies who reached 20, showing resilience even in defeat. The Hornets will look to capitalize on good perimeter shooting and continued growth from their young talents as they prepare for upcoming matchups.

Evergreen Takeaways

Momentum matters in midseason, and Cleveland’s ability to convert late opportunities demonstrates the value of composure when runs swing a game. Consistency from guards who can both score and facilitate will be a defining factor for the Cavaliers as they navigate a busy schedule.

Charlotte’s ceiling with its youngster core remains promising. If the team can sustain this level of scoring from its rookies and maintain defensive discipline, they can turn close losses into competitive wins as the season unfolds.

Engage with Us

Which Cavaliers player beyond Mitchell made the most impact tonight, and why? How does this win shape Cleveland’s confidence going into the next stretch of games?

Reader Questions

– What moment from tonight’s game stood out the most to you?

– Do you see this win as a turning point for Cleveland, or just one strong performance in a volatile season?

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.Cavaliers Rally Behind Mitchell’s 30 as They Top Hornets 139‑132

Game Overview – December 23, 2025

• Final Score: Cleveland Cavaliers 139, Charlotte Hornets 132
• Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
• Key Moment: Donovan Mitchell’s 30‑point burst in the third quarter sparked a 15‑point swing that sealed the win.

Mitchell’s 30‑Point surge

Quarter	Points Scored	Highlight
1st	8	Early jump‑shot against Hornets’ press
2nd	7	Back‑to‑back three‑pointers to keep the lead
3rd	14	5‑point run with a driving layup, followed by a deep 3‑pointer that ignited the rally
4th	1	Defensive stop and a free‑throw to close the game

– Shooting split: 12‑of‑21 FG (57.1%), 5‑of‑9 3‑PT (55.6%), 8‑of‑9 FT (88.9%).

• efficiency: Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 28.3, plus/minus +12 during the decisive third‑quarter run.
• Impact: Mitchell’s clutch scoring forced the Hornets to switch to a zone defense, opening lanes for the Cavs’ ball‑handlers.

Supporting Cast Contributions

• Darius Garland (PG) – 22 points,9 assists,4 steals; orchestrated the offense with 6 secondary‑break points.
• Evan Mobley (PF/C) – 18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks; dominated the paint and finished with a double‑double.
• Caris LeVert (SG/SF) – 15 points,5 rebounds; provided a steady scoring threat from the wing.
• Ricky Rickey (Bench) – 10 points in 15 minutes; sparked the second‑quarter run with two quick threes.

Hornets Offensive Highlights

• LaMelo Ball – 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds; led charlotte’s comeback with a 12‑point surge in the fourth quarter.
• PJ Washington – 20 points, 7 rebounds; gave the Hornets early momentum with a 6‑0 run.
• Kelly Oubre Jr. – 18 points, 4 steals; contributed perimeter defense and three‑point shooting (4‑of‑8).

Tactical Breakdown – How Cleveland Secured the Victory

1. Transition Offense

• Cavs forced 17 fast‑break points (13 by mitchell, 4 by Garland).
• Utilized quick outlet passes from Mobley after defensive rebounds.

2. Spacing & Ball Movement

• Averaged 22 passes per quarter, leading to 36 assisted baskets.
• High‑pick‑and‑roll actions involving Garland and Mobley created open lanes for Mitchell’s drives.

3. Defensive Adjustments

• Switched to a 2‑3 zone in the third quarter, limiting Hornets’ interior scoring.
• Forced 11 turnovers (7 steals, 4 forced errors), converting them into 14 fast‑break points.

Statistical Snapshot

• Team Shooting: 54.2% FG (53‑of‑98), 48.1% 3‑PT (27‑of‑56), 82.5% FT (71‑of‑86)
• Rebounds: 45 total (Cavaliers 23 offensive, 22 defensive)
• Turnovers: 12 (Cavaliers) vs. 15 (Hornets)
• Assist Ratio: 31 assists (Cavaliers) – 24 assists (Hornets)

Impact on Standings & Playoff Outlook

• Cleveland Cavaliers climb to 6th place in the Eastern Conference with a 29‑22 record, positioning themselves for a potential play‑in tournament spot.
• Charlotte Hornets fall to 12th in the Eastern Conference, now 31‑23, needing a win streak to stay within playoff contention.

Benefits of This Win for Cleveland

• Momentum Build‑Up: Back‑to‑back wins improve team chemistry and confidence, especially for young core players.
• Offensive Confidence: Scoring 139 points showcases a versatile offense capable of shooting, driving, and posting up.
• Defensive Learning Curve: The zone strategy proved effective, providing a template for future matchups against high‑scoring opponents.

Practical Tips for Fans & Analysts

• Replay Analysis:

1. Watch the third‑quarter segment (13:00-18:30) to see mitchell’s scoring burst and the defensive shift.
2. Pause at 5:12 of the fourth quarter for LaMelo Ball’s key three‑point that narrowed the gap.

• Betting Insight:
• Expect Cavaliers’ over/under line to trend higher in the next 5 games,given the 139‑point output.
• Mitchell’s points‑over market is strong; his recent 30‑point games suggest a high hitting probability.

• Fantasy Basketball Strategy:
• Prioritize acquiring Mitchell and Garland as high‑floor weekly picks.
• Monitor Mobley’s rebounds and blocks for defensive upside in weekly lineups.

Real‑world Example – Comparable High‑Scoring Game

• 2023 NBA Season: Miami Heat’s 138‑131 win over the Bucks featured a similar 30‑point performance by Jimmy Butler, illustrating how star scoring combined with zone defense can overturn a fast‑paced opponent. The Cavs replicated this approach, confirming the effectiveness of blending star power with team-oriented tactics.

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