CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Smith Jr. scored a season-high 24 points and Steve Clifford won his coaching farewell as the Charlotte Hornets rallied to beat the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers 120-110 on Sunday.
Max Strus had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double for Cleveland, which rested All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, point guard Darius Garland and sixth man Caris LeVert.
The Cavaliers finished fourth in the East and will have home-court advantage against the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs. They locked up a top-four finish Friday by beating Indiana, but lost 12 of their final 19 regular-season games to wind up 48-34.
“Orlando is a young team and they’re going to be fighting for a lot, so we have to come in with the mentality to throw the first punch,” Cleveland center Jarrett Allen said. “We need to lock in, watch our film and do everything we can to prepare for the playoffs.”
Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
Michael Sheen comically reveals how he broke his toe at a gym in LA
16,000 SQ FT home in Montana goes on sale for just $10
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Clockenflap 2023 guide, schedule and map: Hong Kong abuzz for mask
BORIS JOHNSON: If Ukraine falls, it'll be a catastrophic turning point in history
Colin Firth's Pride and Prejudice wet shirt up for auction
Woman is branded a 'bad person' after insisting pet owners should not take on 'life
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Shocking moment Oakland jewelry shop owner cowers in terror as gang of hammer