Key Matchup vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Marvin Williams vs. Kevin Love
By Sam Perley, hornets.com
Marvin Williams’ defensive tenacity will be in high demand by the Charlotte Hornets as they begin a five-game road trip with a tough matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. After missing six games because of a hyper-extended left knee, Williams seems to be back to normal with averages of 8.5 points on 40.0 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in his last two appearances for the Hornets.
Williams will be called upon to guard Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love, who is quietly having a remarkable season in Cleveland. The three-time NBA All-Star is averaging 21.7 points on 45.6 percent shooting (career-high 41.9 percent from three-point range), 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 21 games this year, all of which are his highest marks since joining the Cavaliers in the 2014 offseason.
Containing the versatile Love will be a critical first step if the Hornets want to start their road stretch with a win when they meet the reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.