NBA Sundays: Former NBA coach Neal Meyer previews the massive Cleveland Cavaliers vs Charlotte Hornets clash
LeBron James' champions take on Kemba Walker's rampant Hornets in Sunday's UK-friendly tip-off starting 8.30pm GMT
EVERY Sunday, BT Sport covers the NBA’s 8.30pm tip off – with this week’s action coming from Cleveland as the Cavaliers host the Hornets.
Ahead of tip-off - with stars such as LeBron James and Kemba Walker on display - former NBA coach NEAL MEYER runs down everything you need to know about the game.
Here’s what Meyer has to say on Sunday evening’s Eastern Conference showdown…
CHARLOTTE HORNETS @ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
THIS NBA Sunday’s game sees reigning the NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers host the Charlotte Hornets in Cleveland.
It looks set to be an exciting match-up between two teams vying to secure top spot in the Eastern Conference - both currently sitting on a 6-1 record in 2016-17.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
THE Charlotte Hornets have had a fantastic start to the new NBA season.
They are off to the best start in the franchise’s history with six victories in their first seven games, tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
The team, owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, has quietly put together one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in the Eastern Conference.
Kemba Walker has developed into one of the NBA’s top guards, averaging a career-best 24.3 points per game as of November 7.
The Hornets were also able to re-sign Nicolas Batum in the offseason and the Frenchman’s versatility has had a huge impact on the team and on the stat-sheet with his 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
After appearing in only seven games last season due to injury, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is finally healthy and showing flashes of why the Hornets made him the second overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft.
Throw in a stable of capable big men Cody Zeller, two-time NBA All-Star Roy Hibbert, Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes, and Steve Clifford’s crew has the look of a team that is ready to take the next step.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Kemba Walker
THE NYC native made massive strives last season in nearly every statistical category on the way towards helping the Hornets to a 48-34 regular season record and a Playoff berth.
This season, Walker continues to evolve into one of the league’s best point guards, averaging 23.9 points per game, making him 12th in the league.
His performances so far suggest he might have a great chance to play in his first ever NBA All-Star game this season, which is another reason why the 26 year-old will certainly be the man to watch out for on Sunday night.
RELATED STORIES
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
THE defending NBA Champions recently lost their first game of the season against the Atlanta Hawks.
This surprising loss has represented the only slip-up in an otherwise perfect start to the season, with the team producing a 6-0 start for the first time since the 1976-77 season.
Led by 2016 NBA Finals MVP LeBron James and three-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers currently rank second in the NBA in points per game, trailing only the Golden State Warriors.
The Cavaliers are now putting the ball in LeBron James’ hands even more than usual and James has responded by dishing out nearly 9.9 assists on a nightly basis.
Alongside James’ stellar performances, Irving opened the season with five consecutive 20-point games, while Kevin Love is enjoying one of his best stretches as a Cav, averaging 22.0 points and 9.0 rebounds.
Coming from a hard-earned triumph in the NBA Finals 2016, Cleveland have become a very mature and confident group, playing with purpose and looking very much like a team a eyeing a second NBA title.
PLAYER TO WATCH: LeBron James
THE twelve-time NBA All-Star, who has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, is averaging close to a triple-double, and recently passed Hakeem Olajuwon for 10th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
James led his team to its first NBA title last year and has carried the bulk of the duties coming into the 2016-17 season.
Able to make the difference at any time with his offensive skills and ability to find space for himself or drive to the basket, his experience could prove crucial in Sunday’s game against the Hornets.
NBA Sundays on BT Sport – a live NBA game every Sunday at 8.30pm. This week on 13 November the Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Charlotte Hornets on BT Sport 1.
Who wins? Tweet your prediction using #NBASUNDAYS