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Hornets vs. Cavaliers Summer League Preview

By Evan Birchmore

Jul 10, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward JT Thor (21) celebrates with team mates after making a three-point basket in the second overtime to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 89-86 at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward JT Thor (21) celebrates with team mates after making a three-point basket in the second overtime to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 89-86 at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a two day hiatus, the Charlotte Hornets are back in action tonight in the NBA 2K23 Summer League as they get set to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hornets will look to build on the momentum from their double overtime victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday while the Cavaliers will be hoping to bounce back after losing to the Denver Nuggets in their most recent matchup.

WHO: Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

WHEN: 5:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: Thomas & Mack Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

WATCH: ESPNU

Despite winning their most recent matchup, the Hornets have some areas to improve upon if they hope to continue their winning ways. Namely, they must take better care of the ball than they have in their first two games. In their first two Summer League outings, Charlotte has had more total turnovers (40) than assists (36). The lack of a true point guard has been discussed ad nauseum, but the frontcourt has also been a primary culprit. Of the 40 total turnovers, 20 have come courtesy of the frontcourt quartet of Nick Richards, Kai Jones, JT Thor, and Brady Manek.

More consistent shot-making, particularly from beyond the three-point arc, will also go a long way towards Charlotte having a successful outing. While the 33% three-point shooting performance on Sunday night represented an improvement over the opening game, Charlotte is still shooting a combined 18 of 64 (28%) through two games from beyond the arc. Second-year man L.J. Figueroa has been a bright spot in this regard, shooting 100% from the field thus far. However, even with Figueroa’s perfect performances, Charlotte still has just three players shooting above the league-average three-point percentage and just two players shooting above the league-average field goal percentage.

For Cleveland, R.J. Nembhard has been the star of Summer League. The second-year guard from TCU is averaging 19.5 points on 48% shooting and 60% from three-point range. Nembhard and rookie lottery pick Ochai Agbaji are leading the Cavaliers in minutes played and will feature prominently in this matchup, as well.

Charlotte should be able to take advantage of Cleveland on the boards, as the Cavaliers have been outrebounded in both of their matchups while the Hornets have outrebounded their opponents in both of theirs. Charlotte has four players (Nick Richards, Mark Williams, L.J. Figueroa, Kai Jones) who are averaging more rebounds per game than Cleveland’s leading rebounder, rookie big man Isaiah Mobley.

What are the keys to a Hornets victory?

Both Charlotte and Cleveland enter this matchup with 1-1 records in Summer League. If Charlotte wishes to continue the positive momentum from their thrilling victory over the Lakers, they must take better care of the ball, make their three-pointers at a higher rate, and win the matchup on the boards.

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