Game Preview: Brooklyn Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers
After extending their win streak to two in Minnesota, the Brooklyn Nets will face the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cavaliers have won 13 straight games.
Cleveland had their four-game winning streak snapped on Monday night after a 106-92 loss in Miami. The Cavs are still among the NBA’s hottest teams in the league, posting a league-best 24-6 record since January 15th. During the Cavaliers’ current 13-game win-streak at home, the team is holding opposing teams to just 91.6 points on 39.6 percent shooting from the field. LeBron James and the Cavaliers are 2-0 against the Nets so far this season and hope to continue their winning ways at home.
For Brooklyn, let’s get to the point (or should I say paint). The Nets are averaging an NBA-best 51.4 points in the paint since the All-Star break and scored a franchise record 78 points in the paint against the Timberwolves on Monday night. Although the Nets do not have one dominant star, they have succeeded by distributing scoring amongst the team with excellent ball movement. After being traded to Brooklyn, Thaddeus Young has averaged 14.1 points on 52.1 percent shooting from the field. If the Nets can continue to distribute the ball well and spread out the scoring amongst the team, they can slow down the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Let’s see if Brooklyn can extend their win streak to three as they look to pull closer to the eight and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.