CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ron Harper contributed 22 points and 5 steals Friday night, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers spoil the debut of the expansion Charlotte Hornets with an opening-night 133-93 victory before a capacity crowd of 23,338 in Charlotte Coliseum.
Cleveland took a 66-42 halftime lead aided by Harper's 16 points and 4 steals.
Kurt Rambis and Kelly Tripucka added 16 points apiece for Charlotte. Brad Daugherty scored 22 points and collected 8 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
With Charlotte leading 34-32 and 8:38 left in the second quarter, the Cavaliers outscored the Hornets 34-8 ending at halftime. Larry Nance scored all 11 of his first-half points during the run.
A majority of the Cavaliers points were scored in transition, as Cleveland forced the Hornets into 25 turnovers and came up with 16 steals in the game.
The Hornets had taken their first lead 24-22 when Rambis scored on a layup with 2:08 left in the first quarter. Cleveland pulled even 26-26 at the end of the quarter on a Mike Sanders basket.
Cleveland used turnovers and a 54-31 rebouding edge to take control.
