The Cavs(22-13) finished their six-game homestand on Monday against the Nets(22-12) and trailed by as many as 19 points before rallying late, but they would fall to the Nets 125-117 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Nets have won nine straight, while the Cavs, who ended their homestand 4-2, have lost two straight.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ loss to the Nets:
Great:
Darius Garland had a game-high 46 points(14/20 FG), including five threes and eight assists; he had 18 points in the fourth; Garland cut Brooklyn’s 19-point fourth-quarter lead to four with just under a minute to go. However, just like what happened against Minnesota, where he scored 27 points in the fourth, it wasn’t enough.
Not So Great:
Defense: Cleveland allowed the Nets to shoot 57% from the floor, including 60% from deep. The Cavs are one the better defensive teams in the NBA, but they had no answers for the Nets. Specifically, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who combined for 12 threes and had 32 points apiece.
The final 3:54 seconds of the first half: Cavs trailed for most of the game, and in the first half, they cut the lead to 44-43, but Brooklyn closed the half on a 21-6 run, and the Nets took a 16-point lead at halftime.
Donovan Mitchell struggled again with his shot as he finished 5-16 from the field and ended the night with 15 points. Brooklyn did a great job of keeping him under control.
In the last two games, Mitchell is 9-32 from the field.
Bottom Line:
After starting this homestand 4-0, the Cavs got humbled by the Raptors and Nets.
Cleveland needed more of an answer for Brooklyn’s firepower and could not limit Durant and Irving.
The Cavs are a very good team, but not surprisingly, they have more to do to be a championship team. Again, Cleveland’s very good, but something could be missing. They may need another piece.
What’s Next:
Cleveland goes on the road to battle the Pacers on Thursday night.
Best of the Rest:
The Nets had six players in double figures. T.J. Warren had 23 points and eight rebounds off the bench, and Ben Simmons added four points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Jarrett Allen had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Cleveland had five players in double figures.
