Devonte' Graham breaks late tie, Hornets beat Cavaliers 109-106

CLEVELAND (AP) —

Devonte' Graham hit a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left to break a tie and cap Charlotte's late rally in the Hornets' 109-106 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.

Graham's shot from the top of the key gave Charlotte a 106-103 lead. The Hornets came back from a nine-point deficit with five minutes to play to end a six-game losing streak, helped by a controversial call.

Graham hit two free throws with 9.7 seconds left for a 108-103 lead. After Cedi Osman's 3-pointer made it 108-106, the Hornets' Dwyane Bacon's pass from under the basket went out of bounds.

Although it appeared that the ball wasn't touched by a Cleveland player, the officials ruled Charlotte maintained possession despite protests by Cavaliers coach John Beilien and his players.

Terry Rozier hit a foul shot with 3.6 seconds left and Collin Sexton's 3-pointer from just inside halfcourt bounced off the rim.

Rozier led the Hornets with 30 points. Graham had 16 — all in the second half.

Cleveland led 100-91 with 5:31 to play before Charlotte rallied. Sexton scored 21 points, and Kevin Love had 18 for Cleveland.

TIP-INS

Hornets: F Marvin Williams left the game in the second half with what was announced as "nasal trauma." ... Graham and starting forward Miles Bridges were held scoreless in the first half. ... G Nicolas Batum missed his fourth straight game as a result of a coach’s decision..

Cavaliers: G Dante Exum, appearing in his fourth game since being acquired on Dec. 23, scored seven points in 12 minutes. He was picked up from Utah for G Jordan Clarkson. ... Cleveland opened a four-game homestand..

UP NEXT

Hornets: At Dallas on Saturday.

Cavaliers: Host Oklahoma City on Saturday.