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03/23/2023: The Cavs are ready to go up against the Brooklyn Nets for the second time in the last three days. The Cavs got the better of Brooklyn on Tuesday, when they beat them by a final score of 115-109.
The Cavaliers are at full strength tonight when it comes to the injury report, and the Nets will once again be without their off-season addition, Ben Simmons. I expect to see some great defense between these two teams, being two of the best in the NBA. The edge goes to the Cavs overall due to the fact that the Nets are an atrocious rebounding team, I expect Cleveland to dominate on the glass tonight and get another one in the win column.
First Quarter:
The game got off to a decently fast start including Mikal Bridges getting fouled within the first three seconds of the game. The Cavaliers did a good job getting to the line early and that included a 3-point play from star Point Guard Darius Garland.
By the 6 minute mark, the Cavs found themselves in control and with an 8 point lead, we saw this last game and Brooklyn almost made a comeback, so Cleveland needs to keep their feet on the gas so it doesn’t get out of their reach after a comeback.
The Cavs started on fire from downtown, making five of their first 9 shots from behind the arc, which is a great sign. Mitchell showed why he’s been an MVP candidate all year, as he led the Cavs in the first, with 12 points. However Brooklyn went on a run and had a 33-31 lead.
Second Quarter:
The first couple of minutes of the second quarter were pretty stagnant, and very hard fought, only a combined 7 points were scored in the first 3 minutes, but it was a good start to the quarter regardless.
This game was turning into a back and forth affair, and was incredibly entertaining in the second quarter, a bunch of 3-point plays, steals, and fast paced play.
The Cavs found themselves with a 7 point lead with less than 3 minutes left in the half, but once again they let Brooklyn get momentum after a few buckets by Spencer Dinwiddie who led a 10-0 run. Brooklyn led 61-60 at half.
Third Quarter:
The Cavs looked to gain some momentum coming out of halftime, they went on a couple nice runs in the first half which were overtaken by Brooklyn with some runs of their own.
Donovan Mitchell started off the half doing what he usually does, scoring the basketball, and he surpassed the 20 point mark with a full 9 minutes left in the third quarter. This deep Brooklyn team just would not go away, and before the 3rd quarter was over, Bridges had 30 and Dinwiddie had 19.
Despite 30 from Bridges, the game was close the whole time but the Nets led the game going into the fourth, 91-85.
Fourth Quarter:
The Cavs scored a few quick buckets to start the 4th which really gave them some momentum. The elite play from Bridges and Dinwiddie continued to extend Brooklyn’s lead as they had a 9 point lead with 7 minutes remaining.
A couple of threes from Joe Harris gave the Nets a 10-point lead and it was looking grim for the Cavs.
A late run by the Cavs had the game to 2 points with 10 seconds where the Cavaliers were down 1 after two scores from Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs got an offensive rebound and Isaac Okoro nailed a three pointer to go up 2 with 0.7 seconds! Final score 116-114 Cavaliers.
Notable Performances
Cavs:
Mitchell: 31 Pts 11/23 FG
Mobley: 26 Pts 16 Reb 3 Ast 4 Blk
Allen: 12 Pts 10 Reb
Nets:
Bridges: 32 Pts 11/19 FG
Dinwiddie: 25 Pts 12 Ast 9/15 FG
