The dynamic duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland scored a combined 44 points to help the Cleveland Cavaliers survive by the slimmest of margins with a 118-117 win over the host Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, who fell to 9-24 at home.
Miles Bridges scored a career-high 46 points for the Hornets, who went down for the ninth straight time.
Bridges buried 15 of 32 shots from the field and 12 of 13 free throws, but he committed a costly turnover in the final minute that gave Cleveland the opportunity to grab a two-possession lead. His 3-pointer, with 8.1 seconds left, gave the Hornets one last gasp, slicing the lead to 116-115.
After Mitchell and Bridges exchanged two free throws, Mitchell bricked a pair, which is unusual for him with 4.1 seconds left. But Bridges missed a last-second heave that secured the win for the Cavaliers.
Evan Mobley was solid, providing a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, De’Andre Hunter had 15 points off the bench and Jarrett Allen added 14 points and 11 boards for the Cavaliers, who have won 13 consecutive games.
Cleveland has had three sustained winning streaks of 12 or more games this season, the first time that has happened since the 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks, who went 67-15, led by Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki.
LaMelo Ball had a quiet night with only 13 points and seven assists before collecting his sixth foul and Jusuf Nurkic posted 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Hornets, who trailed by as many as 13.
Nurkic made two baskets in Charlotte’s 6-0 spurt as the Hornets took a nine-point advantage, 104-95, with just over five minutes to play. About two minutes later, the Cavaliers made it a one-possession game, getting within three, 104-101.
Garland sank four free throws sandwiched in between Mobley’s tying 3-pointer, to push the Cavs in front 108-106. Bridges and Garland each made two foul shots, then Damion Baugh’s basket tied the score for the Hornets with just over a minute remaining.
Hunter put the Cavaliers back on top with 43.1 seconds to go before Bridges committed a turnover at the worst time. While Bridges gave Charlotte life with a late 3-pointer, Cleveland closed it out for the win.
The Cavaliers travel to Milwaukee to face Damion Lillard and the Bucks on Sunday.
The Hornets host Cam Thomas and the Brooklyn Nets on the second night of a back-to-back.
