Inside The Nets

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

The Nets are looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.

Peter Sunjic

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The Nets suffered two crushing defeats to the Warriors and Mavericks because Brooklyn teetered away from their blistering form over the past few games. Coach Jacque Vaughn's team will now face the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, the second-seeded team in the Eastern Conference.

This game will be a challenging matchup for the Nets, as the team has to deal with MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell and his superb supporting cast, which consists of Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley.

The Cavs are always a big challenge

Brooklyn and Cleveland have already played two games against each other, ending in favor of the latter. The Cavs have been superb this season, even when they dealt with injuries to Mobley and Garland.

Mitchell's production is the main reason behind their success, as he’s scoring 28.2 points, grabbing 5.4 rebounds, and dishing out 6.4 assists per game. He’s not only contributing to the Cavs’ offense but also having a tremendous defensive season, averaging 1.9 steals per game.

Allen has also been superb for the Cavs this season. He has a case for being an All-Star again, with averages of 15.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. The Texas Longhorn has stepped up as Cleveland’s defensive anchor and uber-efficient scorer. The former Net’s big man will be vital to the Cavs for this game since he must deal with Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton.

Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas remain the go-to guys for Brooklyn. The duo’s scoring has not been as consistent in the past two games, but this is the opportunity they’re waiting for. Heating up in this game will be the key to victory since Cleveland can’t contain both of them when they hit their shots.

Brooklyn’s bench will also play a huge factor in this game, considering Lonnie Walker IV is still on the sidelines. Lonnie’s production will be a big miss, but you can expect rookie Jalen Wilson to fill his shoes.

Injury report

Brooklyn has a lengthy injury report consisting of Day’Ron Sharpe, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Lonnie Walker IV. Ben Simmons is expected to play, albeit with a 20-minute restriction like the game against Dallas.

Cleveland is getting healthier by the day, as only Ty Jerome is on the injury report due to his arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in January.

The third matchup between Brooklyn and Cleveland will be another fun one, given the thrilling season opener and the NBA Paris Game from a few weeks ago. Expect some fiery performances from both teams with their respective stars. 

"Thank Mayor Adams for that, bro"- Kyrie Irving answers a courtside fan

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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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