THE Cleveland Cavaliers got back on track with a 112-105 victory over the Hornets on Friday in Charlotte (Saturday, Manila time).
Kyrie Irving and LeBron James showed the way as the Cavaliers, coming off a loss to the Denver Nuggets, scoring only their sixth win in the last 12 games.
It was a big win for the Cavaliers, who started its main for only the second time in three months.
Cleveland’s big three were joined by JR Smith and Tristan Thompson again as the team notched its 47th win in 71 games.
LeBron James scored 32 and made 11 assists, while Irving wound up with 26 points.
Kevin Love was the only other Cleveland player to score in double figures with 15.
The Cavaliers built a double-digit lead early and was ahead 99-87 in the fourth before the Hornets rallied to trim the deficit to a hairline, 99-100.
A Smith triple off a James assist and a long Love jumper gave the Cavaliers breathing room and halted the Hornets’ three-game win streak.
Kemba Walker scored 28 for Charlotte, which absorbed its 40th loss in 72 games.
Marco Belinelli came off the bench to score 22, Nicolas Batum came up with 19 points and Cody Zeller added 15.