Bobcats 90, Cavaliers 84
Kemba Walker scored 23 points to go with seven assists and drained the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute as host Charlotte edged Cleveland in its home opener.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 15 points and Bismack Biyombo collected 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats, who held the Cavaliers to 38.1 percent shooting to bounce back from a season-opening loss.
C.J. Miles scored 22 points off the bench and Tristan Thompson recorded 21 points and 11 boards for Cleveland. Kyrie Irving scored 16 points, and Jarrett Jack added 15 points but missed a tying 3-point attempt with 12 seconds left before Charlotte closed it out at the line.
Walker scored five points during an 8-0 burst to close out the third quarter and give the Bobcats a 75-66 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. Miles knocked down a 3-pointer and completed a traditional three-point play to bookend a 10-1 run beginning the fourth and draw the Cavaliers even at 76.
Charlotte jumped on top again but Cleveland clawed its way back, knotting it at 84 on Miles’ driving layup with 2:08 left. Miles missed a jumper that would have given the Cavaliers the lead and Walker responded by burying a 3-pointer with 58 seconds left that proved to be the decisive shot.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bobcats C Al Jefferson (right ankle) missed the game and is day-to-day. … Cleveland F and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett went scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting in 13 minutes off the bench and is 0-for-8 in the first two games of his career. … Cavaliers C Andrew Bynum came off the bench for the second straight game and increased from eight to 11 minutes as the team works him back slowly from knee injuries.