Darius Garland went off with a big double-double and the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a much-needed bounce-back win over the Charlotte Hornets 139-132.
Meanwhile, Josh Green took a big step forward in his best game yet since returning from injury and Zion Williamson propelled New Orleans to a fifth-straight win in a stunning turnaround.
Green posted season highs for points (10) and 3-pointers (three) with two steals in 20 productive minutes off the bench where helped pace Charlotte’s second unit.
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Tuesday’s game in Charlotte (all times AEDT) was the best Green has looked as he ramps up from shoulder surgery that sidelined the Aussie for the first two months of the season, having played no more than 17 minutes in his four previous contests.
The guard got the bragging rights over fellow Aussie and Cavs rookie Tyrese Proctor, who played just two minutes in junk time.
Garland (27 points, 10 assists, five threes) and Donovan Mitchell (game-high 30-points, six triples) were the real stars of the show though and De’Andre Hunter scored 27 off the bench to ensure the Cavs snapped a three-game losing streak.
There were growing concerns in Cleveland after it went into the season as the favourite to come out of the East with one of the league’s most expensive rosters, but had fallen in a slump.
It included just three wins from their previous 11 games, with the Cavs coming off consecutive losses to Chicago and a home defeat to Charlotte in their corresponding matchup just a week ago to plummet to the play-in.
That prompted reports team owner Dan Gilbert had grown unhappy and would start to get more involved. Plus whispers coach Kenny Atkinson was in the hot seat and trade rumours starting to surround Garland.
But the Cavs have at least eased some of that pressure for now with Tuesday’s win as they improved to 16-14 overall.
LaMelo Ball put up 24 points and nine assists as the Hornets dropped to 9-20.
Durant guides Rockets to win over Nugs | 00:41
In New Orleans, Williamson scored 10 of 24 points in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter to guide New Orleans past Dallas 119-113.
Williamson shot 10-of-14 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line with nine rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes off the bench, with the former No. 1 pick still being limited following an adductor issue.
It was key to the Pelicans dominating the fourth quarter 40-26 en route to their fifth-straight victory in a wild turnaround after they had the worst record in the entire NBA just a couple of weeks ago while depleted by injury.
New Orleans (8-22) is now just a game and a half behind Brooklyn (8-19) and Charlotte (9-20).
It’s bad news for Atlanta, who owns New Orleans’ first-round pick following a bold draft night gamble when the Pelicans aggressively moved up to land Derik Queen with Pick 13.
And Queen looks every bit of a star too. The rookie centre amassed 19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block to outshine Dallas’ former No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who still had 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block.
Anthony Davis led the way for Dallas with a season-high 35 points and equal season-high 17 rebounds, but the 11-19 Mavs dropped their third game from their last four.
ALL RESULTS
Hornets 132 Cavaliers 139
Pacers 95 Celtics 103
Mavericks 113 Pelicans 119
Jazz 112 Nuggets 135
Grizzlies – Thunder
Magic – Warriors
Pistons – Trail Blazers
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