In-game updates from Quicken Loans Arena as the Cavaliers look to build upon Friday's road win in New York.
Final: Hornets 96, Cavs 81
Without their best player, the Hornets managed to play their toughest defense of the game.
Chris Paul was taken to the hospital with a head injury after he was carted off on a stretcher, and Cavaliers PR said he was responsive and aware of his surroundings.
After he left the game, the Hornets went from trailing 61-60, to embarking on a 20-5 streak that pushed the lead out of reach. They held the Cavaliers to 36.8 shooting, in all.
Baron Davis led the Cavs with 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting, with six assists and five rebounds. David West led the Hornets with 23 points and seven rebounds.
Third quarter update: Hornets 73, Cavaliers 66
The most significant event happened with 4:36 left in the third quarter, when Hornets point guard Chris Paul ran head-first into Ramon Sessions' shoulder and fell down immediately.
Play stopped for about 10 minutes as medical staff attended to Paul, immobilized his neck and then wheeled him off on a stretcher. He flashed a "thumb's up" sign as he was wheeled off. Cavaliers PR says Paul is responsive and headed to the hospital for evaluation.
The atmosphere was understandably more subdued after Paul's injury, but the Hornets started to pull away. David West had nine more points in the quarter to bring his total to 22.
Second quarter update: Hornets 51, Cavaliers 48
Baron Davis continues to lead the Cavs when he's on the court, though he's slipped enormously in missing his first field goal attempt. He has 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting, and four assists.
Chris Paul came to life in the second quarter in driving his own squad, dishing out six assists to raise his halftime total to 10 assists. He also has 11 points. David West leads with 13 points.
First quarter update: Hornets 27, Cavs 24
Baron Davis saw his first game action in Cleveland, and he received a loud ovation from the crowd at The Q when he entered midway through the quarter.
He's a point guard with great court vision, and his first two baskets to Alonzo Gee were for two easy baskets.
The Cavs are keeping it close, but so far David West is dominating the interior, hitting 2-for-3 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws for nine points. Emeka Okafor completely stuffed J.J. Hickson on one dunk attempt.
Cavs starters: F Alonzo Gee, F Samardo Samuels, C J.J. Hickson, G Anthony Parker, G Ramon Sessions.
Hornets starters: F Quincy Pondexter, F David West, C Emeka Okafor, G Marco Belinelli, G Chris Paul.
Injuries: Semih Erden (strained right abductor), Daniel Gibson (left quad bruise), Antawn Jamison (fractured finger) and Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot) are out for Cavs. Trevor Ariza (strained left abductor) is questionable for the Hornets.
Inactives: Gibson, Jamison, Varejao for Cavs. D.J. Mbenga and Marcus Banks for the Hornets.
Officials: Ron Garretson, David Guthrie and Derek Richardson.
Three things to watch
1. Chris Paul had back-to-back single-digit games (including a season-low four against the Knicks) before scoring 23 against Memphis. Is the New Orleans point guard back to form?
2. How will Baron Davis do in his Cavs home debut?
3. The Hornets have lost six of their last nine games, though they won Friday against Memphis. Will they break free from their struggling streak against the Cavaliers?
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