Cavaliers 92 - 101 Hornets
Final
  for this game

Jefferson, Bobcats down Cavs

Mar 8, 2014 - 5:43 AM Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Al Jefferson scored 28 points and the Charlotte Bobcats upended the Cleveland Cavaliers, 101-92, on Friday at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Jefferson has netted at least 25 points in all four games during the month of March. Kemba Walker had 20 points with 14 assists and Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 14 points in Charlotte's second straight win.

Luol Deng and Dion Waiters paced six Cavs in double figures with 19 points. Spencer Hawes and Kyrie Irving each went for 13, while Tristan Thompson and Jarrett Jack posted 10 apiece as Cleveland fell to 0-3 against the Bobcats this season.

"We have an opportunity to do some great things, not just for us but for the city of Cleveland," said Waiters. "I just want to taste the playoffs, that atmosphere. We have the best fans in the world, why not give them something to cheer about? Time is ticking, everybody needs to be locked in, including myself."

Both teams shot it well in the first half, hitting at better than a 53 percent clip from the field. Walker went without a field goal but handed out nine assists, Jefferson scored 18 points and the Bobcats led 55-50 at intermission.

Thompson scored the first four points of the second half and Irving split a pair of free throws to knot the score at 55 less than two minutes in. Walker broke the tie with a 3-pointer on Charlotte's next possession and padded the cushion with a breakaway layup moments later.

Josh McRoberts capped a 12-2 spurt with his 3-pointer five minutes into the frame, but Waiters put the finishing touches on a Cleveland rally later in the period with a reverse layup for a 72-72 deadlock. The Cavs led 76-74 after three.

Jefferson checked back into the contest with 7:55 to play and ignited the Bobcats offense, following four straight Walker points with a jumper for a five-point margin.

"Once again when it got down to the end of the game, we got stops," said Jefferson. "At the end of the day, it wasn't the best win but it was a win."

McRoberts hit another trey with 3:39 to play, and the Cavs never drew within five the rest of the way. Walker hit 6-of-6 from the stripe to seal the outcome.

Game Notes

Charlotte had 26 assists compared to 16 for Cleveland ... The Cavaliers hit just 3-of-17 from 3-point range ... The Cavs have lost three straight and six of eight overall ... Cleveland outscored Charlotte 42-26 in the paint.






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