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Cavaliers-Hornets Preview

Nov 27, 2015 - 2:43 AM The Charlotte Hornets have been outstanding offensively in stretches and stifling on the defensive end in others while continuing to roll on their home court.

Now they may have to slow down their biggest nemesis to stay perfect on this homestand.

While Charlotte looks to win its eighth straight home game, LeBron James will try to help the Cleveland Cavaliers avoid their fourth consecutive road loss Friday night by extending his personal 20-game winning streak against the Hornets that includes the postseason.

After averaging 100.7 points during a 5-6 start, Charlotte (9-6) got into an offensive groove by scoring 118.7 per game in the first three on this homestand.

The Hornets cooled off in a 16-point third quarter Wednesday, but closed out the game on a 25-2 run en route to a 101-87 victory over Washington. They allowed a franchise-low six points in the fourth, limiting the Wizards to 0-of-17 shooting over their last 19 possessions.

Charlotte, which has won six in a row when holding an opponent under 100 points, hasn't won eight straight at Time Warner Cable Arena since late in the 2013-14 season.

"When we play defense, we can beat any team in the league," guard Nicolas Batum said.

That kind of effort has been difficult to come by when the Hornets have faced James. The four-time MVP had 25 points and nine assists, while J.R. Smith hit seven 3-pointers as Cleveland capped a three-game sweep in last season's series with a 129-90 home win Jan. 23.

James hasn't lost to Charlotte since Feb. 19, 2010, averaging 29.8 points on 58.8 percent shooting - including a 41.9 mark from 3-point range - during a personal winning streak that includes the playoffs and dates to his time with Miami. That 20-game run is tied for the longest active streak versus any opponent with Matt Barnes' winning streak against Minnesota.

Although it has averaged 108.3 points on 48.5 percent shooting while going 8-0 at home, Cleveland has dropped its last three on the road and scored 98.3 on 43.5 percent shooting in its last four. The club snapped a three-game losing streak at Charlotte with a 91-87 victory Jan. 2.

The Cavs (11-4) hope to avoid dropping both games on this brief road swing after their three-game winning streak was snapped in Wednesday's 103-99 loss at Toronto. James finished with 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds but shot just 6 for 16 from the field.

James insists playing without injured All-Star Kyrie Irving, Timofey Mozgov, Matthew Dellavedova and Iman Shumpert is not an excuse for the team's poor play on the road.

''We've got to understand that it is our guys versus everyone else, versus the fans, versus the opposing group," he said.

Kevin Love continued his strong play Wednesday with 21 points, five 3-pointers and 13 rebounds. He's averaging 24.2 points while shooting 21 of 42 from long range and 11.7 boards in his last six games.

The Cavaliers will try to continue the solid job they've done against Kemba Walker, who has totaled 18 points while shooting 7 for 30 (23.3 percent) in the last two meetings.

Walker has averaged 24.8 points and hit 11 of 23 from 3-point range in his last five games overall.