Terry Rozier's 29 points lead Hornets over stumbling Cavaliers

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Darius Garland returned. The Cavaliers remain missing.

Terry Rozier scored 29 points and carried Charlotte's backcourt with LaMelo Ball in foul trouble, leading the Hornets to a 119-98 win on Wednesday night over a Cleveland team sliding and looking for answers.

The Cavaliers lost for the fifth time in six games, and suddenly a surprising season has turned sour.

"We're not playing the same way we did in the first half of the season," said Garland, who has been slowed by a back bruise. "We've got to get back to that. We're playing soft. We're giving up 38 points in a quarter, that happened twice this week — that's unacceptable.

"We're not being ourselves right now."

Rozier added seven assists and seven rebounds, while Isaiah Thomas scored 10 points in his debut for Charlotte after signing a 10-day contract. The Hornets made 17 3-pointers, improved to just 3-11 since Jan. 28 and outrebounded the taller Cavs 45-37.

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Charlotte Hornets' Terry Rozier (3) grabs a rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

"When we make an effort on the boards, this is possible," said Hornets coach James Borrego. "They had two offensive rebounds until the very end. That kind of execution is what we need and I do think it’s sustainable."

The Cavs, who have been ravaged by injuries to their backcourt, welcomed back Garland after he missed three games with a bone bruise in his back. The first-time All-Star finished with 33 points in 33 minutes.

However, Garland couldn't help the Cavs from falling