There's still about 25 games left to play in the NBA regular season, but the Cavaliers are a good bet to remain in the top spot in the Eastern Conference while the Hornets (29-27) could finish anywhere from third (they are only two games behind the third-place Celtics) to out of the playoffs completely (ninth-place Detroit is only a game behind them).

If Charlotte inevitably faces Cleveland in the postseason, the Hornets will be decided underdogs, but Jeremy Lin could be the X-factor.

Michael Jordan Made A Mistake Not Trading Jeremy Lin

The Cavs beat the Hornets, 114-103, Tuesday night. Lin came off the bench and had 10 points and four assists in 25 minutes. But when Charlotte beat Cleveland earlier this month, Lin, starting in place of the injured Kemba Walker, dominated, with 24 points and eight assists.

Teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist called Lin "a freak of nature," after that game.

Jeremy Lin Couldn't Handle The Pressures Of New York, L.A.

Starting Lin over Walker against the Cavs probably isn't the answer since the latter has been playing like at an All-Star caliber level, but giving Lin more minutes in a potential playoff series could be the difference between a sweep and a competitive matchup.

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