Preview: Hornets at Cavaliers CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The Charlotte Hornets, mired near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, face a steep challenge Sunday when they visit Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Hornets (7-18) arrive after a crushing 129-126 home loss to Chicago on Friday, their fourth defeat in five games. Charlotte’s defense remains a persistent issue, allowing an average of 118.2 points per game this season. Rookie guard Kon Knueppel has been a bright spot, averaging 19.2 points and 4.9 assists over his last 10 games. He is coming off a career-high 33 points and nine assists in the loss to the Bulls, where Miles Bridges added 32 points and Brandon Miller scored 18. The Cavaliers (15-11), however, present a far more formidable obstacle. They are riding the hot hand of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 33.5 points over his last six contests. Mitchell erupted for 48 points in Cleveland’s 130-126 road win over Washington on Friday. Center Evan Mobley added 23 points and 13 rebounds in that victory. Cleveland has won three of its last four and boasts a potent offense, scoring 130 or more points in three of its last five outings. The Cavaliers have been installed as heavy 11.5-point favorites for Sunday’s matchup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with an over/under of 234.5 points. The game marks the first of two meetings between the teams in an eight-day span; they will play again in Cleveland next Monday, Dec. 22. For the Hornets, the contest opens a difficult three-game road trip that continues in Detroit and Cleveland next week. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, begin a pivotal stretch Sunday before a Christmas Day showdown at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. Cleveland hosts Chicago next Friday prior to the Hornets’ return visit. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST Sunday.