Cavs’ Backcourt Brilliance Powers Offensive Explosion in Win Over Hornets
When the Cleveland Cavaliers are healthy and locked in, their offense doesn’t just hum-it roars. Monday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Cavs reminded everyone what their identity looks like when the engine is firing on all cylinders. In a 139-132 win over the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland’s backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland showed why they’re the heartbeat of this team-and why, when they’re both in rhythm, the Cavs can look downright unstoppable.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Cleveland led for more than 35 minutes, built a 19-point cushion in the fourth quarter, and played with a sense of purpose that’s been missing in recent weeks.
The ball moved with intent. The spacing was crisp.
The reads came early. And with Mitchell and Garland both healthy and aggressive, the Cavs’ offense looked like it had finally found its groove again.
The Return of the Formula
Cleveland’s offensive identity has long revolved around the gravitational pull of Mitchell and Garland. Last season, that formula produced one of the league’s most efficient scoring attacks-not because of overwhelming size or brute force, but because of how those two guards bend defenses until they break.
Monday night was a reminder of just how devastating that formula can be.
The lineup that best captured it featured Mitchell, Garland, and sharpshooter Sam Merrill-back in action after a month-long absence due to a right hand injury. That trio created a defensive nightmare for Charlotte.
You can’t load up on Mitchell without Garland slicing into the lane. You can’t overhelp on Garland without Merrill relocating to an open corner.
And even when Merrill isn’t hitting shots, the threat alone stretches the floor. Every defensive decision becomes a lose-lose proposition.
Garland and Mitchell wasted no time putting Charlotte in the blender. They combined for 35 of Cleveland’s 70 first-half points and dished out nine of the team’s 17 assists before halftime.
The offense flowed. The ball didn’t stick.
And just like that, the Cavs looked like a team with a plan-and the personnel to execute it.
De’Andre Hunter Adds a New Layer
While the backcourt was the engine, De’Andre Hunter provided the turbo boost off the bench.
After spending most of the season in the starting lineup, Hunter returned to a reserve role and delivered exactly what Cleveland needed: efficient, confident scoring. He poured in 12 points in the first half on 4-of-7 shooting, attacking closeouts and letting it fly when the ball found him. He finished with a season-high 27 points, including six made threes, and topped 15 points for the first time this month.
Hunter’s performance wasn’t just timely-it was necessary. The Cavs have been searching for consistent secondary scoring, and if Hunter can bring that kind of punch in a bench role, it changes the complexion of Cleveland’s rotation.
Defense Still a Work in Progress
While the offense dazzled, the defense showed it’s still a few steps behind.
Charlotte, ranked 20th in offensive efficiency entering the night, managed 63 points in the first half and finished with 29 assists on 44 made field goals. The Hornets moved the ball with purpose, forcing Cleveland into constant rotations and exposing late closeouts and miscommunications. The Cavs’ 137.6 offensive rating was their third-best of the season-but their 132 defensive rating was their second worst.
That’s the trade-off with this roster. Cleveland isn’t built to grind out low-scoring games every night.
They’re built to outscore you with tempo, spacing, and shot-making. And when Garland (27 points, 10 assists, five rebounds) and Mitchell (30 points, five assists) are both playing at an All-Star level, that trade-off usually works in their favor.
Monday marked just the third time all season that both guards scored 20+ in the same game. When that happens, the entire offense opens up.
Garland’s ability to collapse defenses creates space for Mitchell. Mitchell’s shot-making and physicality prevent teams from overcommitting to Garland.
Their skill sets don’t overlap-they amplify each other.
Everyone Played Their Part
The supporting cast more than held their own.
Lonzo Ball and Dean Wade brought the defensive energy, rotating early and taking on the tougher assignments. Merrill sprinted the floor, moved without the ball, and spaced the court.
Hunter punished defensive lapses. And Wade sealed the win in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 14 points in the final period, including three triples that put the game out of reach.
Cleveland also delivered a near-perfect night from the free-throw line, going 19-for-19-good for their second-most makes without a miss since 1982-83. They knocked down 24 threes as well, the fifth-most in a regular season game in franchise history.
This wasn’t a flawless performance. But it was a clear step forward.
Looking Ahead
The Cavs close out their three-game homestand on Tuesday night with the second leg of a back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans. The schedule gets tougher from here, but Monday night showed what this team can be when its stars are healthy and the supporting cast plays to its strengths.
The offense goes where Garland and Mitchell take it. And on Monday night, they took it exactly where it was supposed to go-straight through the heart of the Hornets.