Mitchell scores 32 points, Harden adds 18 and 8 assists! Cavaliers extend winning streak to 7 by defeating Hornets, Knuppel scores 33 points

On February 21st Beijing time, the NBA regular season went on as the Cavaliers defeated the Hornets 118-113 away from home, achieving a 7-game winning streak. Harden posted 18 points and 8 assists, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record since joining Cleveland. The Cavaliers ended the first half with a 6-point lead, the Hornets briefly overtook them in the second half, but Cleveland stabilized in the final quarter to secure victory. Mitchell scored 32 points, Allen grabbed 26 points and 14 rebounds. Hornets shooter Knuppel scored 33 points, hitting 7 three-pointers.

Statistics

Cavaliers: Mitchell 32 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists; Allen 26 points, 14 rebounds; Harden 18 points, 8 assists; Merril 10 points; Schröder 8 points, 3 assists; Wade 8 points, 4 rebounds; Tyson 5 points; Tomlin 5 points; Ellis 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Hornets: Knuppel 33 points, 6 rebounds, 7 three-pointers; Ball 18 points, 6 assists; Miller 18 points, 4 assists; Kalkbrenner 12 points, 13 rebounds; Sean James 5 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals; Josh Green 11 points; Conorton 5 points, 5 rebounds

Player of the Game

Mitchell, Allen, and Harden delivered consistent performances that helped the Cavaliers secure the win.

Milestone Moment

Knuppel’s three-pointer surpassed Mitchell’s rookie season record of 187, moving him to second place on the all-time rookie three-point list, just behind the Kings’ Murray. Notably, this milestone three-pointer was made against Mitchell’s defense.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Allen scored 4 consecutive points, Miller responded with two three-pointers. Allen and Kalkbrenner exchanged dunks. Ball made 4 straight free throws, Harden hit a three, Allen completed a 2+1 play, Schröder and Mitchell made mid-range shots, and the Cavaliers went on a 12-2 run to take a 6-point lead over the Hornets. Josh Green hit a three, Tobey scored with a hook shot. Mitchell made 5 consecutive free throws, ending the quarter with the Cavaliers leading 30-20.

In the second quarter, Mitchell and Knuppel traded three-pointers, Sarang also hit a three. Knuppel scored 5 straight points as the Hornets cut the deficit to 6. Harden made a mid-range jumper, Tyson and Tomlin both hit threes, Ellis scored on a layup, and the Cavaliers extended their lead to 14. Kalkbrenner dunked, Allen made a floater. Conorton, Sean James, and Knuppel all hit threes consecutively. Merril scored on a mid-range shot, Allen made a hook shot, Josh Green completed a 2+1, and Harden scored on a floater. At halftime, the Cavaliers led 59-53.

By halftime, two Cavaliers players scored in double figures: Allen with 15 points and 7 rebounds, Mitchell with 15 points, and Harden with 9 points and 5 assists. The Hornets had only one player in double digits, Knuppel with 18 points and 4 rebounds.

After the break, Knuppel hit a three-pointer and was fouled but missed the free throw. Merril responded with a three, Ball scored on a layup. Knuppel and Ball hit consecutive threes, giving the Hornets the lead. Ball hit another three, Allen scored on a putback dunk. Merril and Josh Green exchanged three-pointers. Knuppel made his seventh three-pointer. Harden scored on a floater and then connected with Allen on an alley-oop. Schröder scored 4 straight points, Trey Mann hit a three, Ellis stole the ball and dunked, Antonio Reeves hit a three, and Mitchell scored consecutive layups. At the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers led 90-89.

In the final quarter, Mitchell scored 6 straight points, Knuppel made a mid-range shot, Ball scored on a floater, Harden hit a three, putting the Cavaliers up by 5. Miller made a three, Harden scored on a floater, Miller completed a 2+1, Allen scored on a putback. Dean Wade hit a three, Harden made two free throws, Knuppel scored on a mid-range shot. Dean Wade hit another three, Miller completed a 2+1. Mitchell scored on a mid-range shot, Kalkbrenner made a putback dunk. Mitchell made two free throws, Miller’s three-pointer came too late to save the Hornets, Mitchell added two more free throws, and the Cavaliers ultimately defeated the Hornets to extend their winning streak to seven games.

Starting Lineups

Cavaliers: Harden, Mitchell, Merril, Dean Wade, Allen

Hornets: Ball, Miller, Knuppel, Sean James, Kalkbrenner