Cavs hope to get back on track with Charlotte in town

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Cleveland Cavaliers will begin a five-game homestand Monday versus the Charlotte Hornets at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavaliers have lost back-to-back games after an eight-game winning streak and suffered a 119-114 setback against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

LeBron James pumped in 41 points on 17-of-24 shooting and Kevin Love added 21 points for the Cavaliers, who shot 49.4 percent and received 17 points from Kyrie Irving.

James sat out Thursday's contest against Oklahoma City due to left knee soreness. The Thunder proceeded to snap Cleveland's eight-game winning streak.

"I felt good after the tests I was put through before the game," James said. "I just wanted to go out and help our team win and was a little bit unsuccessful."

Cleveland will also host Atlanta, Brooklyn, Memphis and Minnesota on the homestand, and is 7-4 at the Q this season.

The Hornets have lost two straight and 12 of their last 14 games, and look to stop a five-game road losing streak.

In a 114-87 blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, Michael Kidd- Gilchrist recorded 15 points and Brian Roberts added 14 in defeat.

"There are very few teams that can show up and play and win. Obviously, we wouldn't be one of those," Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said.

Charlotte and Cleveland will play the first of three matchups this season and the Hornets won all four games against the Cavs last season. The Cavaliers come to Charlotte on Jan. 2 before the Hornets close out the season series in Cleveland on Jan. 23.

The Cavaliers have won eight in a row against teams from the East and are 11-3 in conference action this season.