Cleveland Cavaliers vs Brooklyn Nets: Nets have an overwhelming offensive edge

In this match, the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to host the Brooklyn Nets in an inter-conference battle. The Cavaliers are grappling with two major injuries to Mobley and Sexton, just a game above 50% win mark. Meanwhile, the Nets are a top-two team in the Eastern Conference, with 12 wins and 5 losses. For a quick look, head over to the “Notes” column.

Durant-Harden factor: Kevin Durant and James Harden are both future hall of farmers. Both players can score, rebound, and act as playmakers. Harden leads the team in assists while Durant leads them in points per game, both players combining for 50 points every night on average. The bench isn’t that deep but Mills and Aldrige have combined for 24-25 points on most nights. The Nets will love to have Kyrie Irving but the partnership between Brooklyn Nets and the PG seems to be over.

Look at statistics: Nets shoot about 38% from the three-point line and lead everyone percentage-wise from there. Brooklyn shoots about 46.3% from the floor. The Nets are also top-ten in points allowed per game, limiting teams to about 104.5 points per game, restricting them to 43% shooting from the floor. The perimeter defense is also tight with the team allowing a mere 31% from there. However, one sphere where the Nets have an issue is rebounding, they hoard just around 44 rebounds per game while conceding around 46 rebounds every game. They are not a great offensive rebounding team for sure.

Tight defense: Cleveland takes a lot of pride on defense and has held most of the opponents under 100. Opponents shoot around 44.5% against them and the team has not allowed oppositions to put on 110/120 points over them. However, with Evan Mobley out, both rebounds and defense have suffered. The team compiles around just under 44 rebounds per game and that has hurt them. However, the team continues to fight without two of their main guns.

Offensive issues: With Sexton and Mobley sidelined, Cavaliers’ already below-average offense has suffered even more. The team has a huge problem with turnovers, coughing up the ball around 15 times per game. The Cavs are averaging a mere 101.7 points per game and generating offense is a huge issue for them. Darius Garland leads the team in points and assists but he appears to be the only shot-creator in this team right now. This looks a tad unfair for a team that has shown some pride this season.

Below are some quick hitters related to this game:

• Cavaliers have lost their last three games as Evan Mobley and Collin Sexton have been missing from the roster.
• Brooklyn Nets have won 6 out of their last 7 games.
• The Nets are a terrific 6-2 away from home.
• Cavaliers have a 4-4 home record. They have won more games away from home.
• Cleveland has held teams to 104 points or less in the last five of six games.
• However, the Cavaliers have also scored 99 or less in the last six games.
• Nets have scored between 109 and 115 points in five of the last six games.
• The Nets have held teams under 99 or fewer points in four of the last six games.
• Kevin Durant has scored 30 points or more multiple times this season.
• James Harden leads the Nets in assists. Darius Garland leads the Cavaliers in terms of assists.
• Nic Claxton, Bruce Brown, Joe Harris, and Kyrie Irving have been listed as “OUT”.
• Collin Sexton will miss the whole season for the Cavs. Evan Mobley will miss two weeks or so. Meanwhile, Lamar Stevens and Cedi Osman are doubtful for this game.

Points Range: If we combine the averages, both teams compile a total of 210 points or so. The two teams concede around 207 points or so. However, with two major players missing, the Cavs are likely to hover around 95-102 and it looks like the total will be somewhere around 195-210.

Verdict: Brooklyn Nets are the favorite in this game but the Cavs are a gritty team and will not give easy buckets to the Nets.

• Home Team Total Points: Over 100 for 1.90;
• Player Rebounds: Kevin Durant: Over 7.5 for 1.83;
• Any Other Score: Win With Difference Less Than 8 for 2.38.