The Cleveland Cavaliers looked to start the new year with their fifth victory in their last seven games. Facing off at home against a Hornets team they had beaten two weeks earlier, it seemed like they had a good chance of improving on their 9-5 record against teams with losing records.
First Quarter
The Cavs started the game with a thunderous block by Tristan Thompson on Bismack Biyombo, and followed it up with a pair of free throws by Kevin Love. Those plays were big early as neither team as able to put the ball in the basket for the next few minutes.