Dec 15, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) defends Charlotte Hornets guard Brian Roberts (22) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.
Dec 15, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) defends Charlotte Hornets guard Brian Roberts (22) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. REUTERS

The Cleveland Cavaliers jumped to a 21-0 lead early in the first quarter and thought they would be have an easy night off. The Charlotte Hornets did not go gently into the abyss and mounted a valiant comeback but still fell short, 97-88.

The Cavaliers were in synch early on, fuelled by the pass-first mentality brought about by two-time NBA champion Lebron James. They jumped on the lead early and the Hornets did not score until midway the first quarter and after burning two timeouts, Al Jefferson registered the team's first two points with a 16-foot jumper. The Hornets' bench did the damage in the second quarter behind Marvin Williams' two three-point baskets and timely penetrations by Kemba Walker and they closed the gap to five points.

With the Big Three of James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving clicking all throughout the game, the Hornets were not able to halt their eighth loss in the last ten games. Love led the way for the Cavaliers with a fantasy stat-stuffing line of 22 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. He also made four threes to keep the defence honest. James is not to be outdone with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 13, assists, a steal and 3 blocks in a vintage LBJ performance that displayed an array of crisp passes and a rare chase down against a Walker drive that led to the Love decisive breakaway lay-up late in the fourth quarter. The game also featured two touchdown NFL-style passes from Love to James which just shows the growing chemistry between the two superstars.

The Hornets continue to find answers to their struggling season as constant trade candidate Lance Stephenson did not fare too well in this outing, with a line of 8 points (on 4-12 shooting), 2 rebounds and 4 assists. He played limited minutes during the final run and in the fourth period when the team was playing catch-up, fielding in sharpshooter Gary Neal in his place.

The Cavaliers will look to solidify its steady rise in the Eastern Conference at it faces four winnable games in the upcoming schedule against the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Hornets have the Phoenix Suns at home next and will look to improve upon their 6-17 slate.