Inside The Nets

GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers

The Brooklyn Nets face off against a potential seeding rival in their season opener.

Peter Sunjic

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The Brooklyn Nets start the 2023/24 season with a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. This is set to be a competitive game between two teams that are expected to compete for spots in the NBA Playoffs by April 2024.

Cameron Johnson is expected to have a minutes restriction as he just got cleared from the hamstring injury he suffered in early October. For the Cavs, Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade are day-to-day with their injuries ahead of the game.

“It felt good getting up and down. I’ve been watching, observing, seeing what we’re trying to put in, how we’re trying to execute things offensively and defensively,” Johnson told reporters during Saturday’s practice.

A big game to start off the season

In this highly anticipated matchup, the sixth-seeded team from last season, the Brooklyn Nets, is set to clash with the last-year's fourth-seeded Cavaliers.

During the 2022/23 season, the Cavs secured the season series with two wins out of three games. Mitchell and Garland excelled, averaging 25.6 and 25.3 points respectively. In two of those matchups, Spencer Dinwiddie shone for the Nets, with averages of 22 points and 11.5 assists.

Potential standouts for this game

Simmons is poised for a strong performance against the Cavs, leveraging his impressive 6’10” height to dominate the paint and facilitate plays over smaller guards. His defensive prowess will be instrumental in containing Cleveland’s All-Star backcourt.

As for the Cavs, Mitchell and Garland will shoulder the offensive load, but Mobley's impact on both ends of the court will be pivotal for their success. Going up against the motivated Nets center Claxton, eager to secure a Defensive Player of the Year title after narrowly missing out last season, will be a formidable challenge.

Injury report

Brooklyn's Cameron Johnson will be on the court with limited minutes against the Cavs. Rookie Dariq Whitehead is making strides in his recovery, engaging in two-on-two drills during practices.

Cleveland's forward's, Dean Wade's, availability is uncertain due to an early week illness. Center Jarrett Allen did not participate in initial week practices, raising questions about his status for the game against the Nets.

Ben Simmons is ready to be a leader for the Brooklyn Nets

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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