NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (8-25) 89, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (13-18) 84

Quicken Loans Arena
Wednesday
Radio/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED: This might be the most obscure team in the NBA, especially with Eric Gordon, Emeka Okafor and Carl Landry out with injuries.

On paper, the Hornets looked like an easy mark. As you know, that was anything but the case. The short-handed Hornets never trailed.

The Cavs failed to win three in a row for the first time this season. They were lucky to win the previous two games, as they made up big deficits after deciding it was time to play. That didn't happen on Wednesday. Teams can't keep relying on comebacks like that.

I will say, when they got it to 71-70. they had several shots rim out. If they had taken the lead there, I bet they would have won the game.

Their center position right now is in shambles. Neither Semih Erden nor Ryan Hollins are doing much of anything. Erden was benched for the second half because of ineffective play. I have a feeling Coach Byron Scott is tired of looking at him.

Rookie Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday. His only drawback was that he was 2 of 8 from the foul line. That's going to keep him on the bench during crunch time.

Just play the kid. You could do a lot worse. He makes things happen.

This is the last game before the All-Star break. This game was very ragged, as expected.

UP NEXT: The Cavs host the Boston Celtics at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena. 

STARTERS

SF Omri Casspi (6-9, 225) vs. Trevor Ariza (6-8, 210)

PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Gustavo Ayon (6-10, 250)
C Semih Erden (7-0, 240) vs. Chris Kaman (7-0, 265)
SG Daniel Gibson (6-2, 200) vs. Marco Belinelli (6-5, 195)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 191) vs. Greivis Vasquez (6-6, 211) 
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – G Anthony Parker, C Anderson Varejao 
Hornets - F Carl Landry, G Eric Gordon 
OFFICIALS

Ken Mauer,

Michael Smith,

Ben Taylor