Cavaliers Seek Redemption Against Nets After Season-Opening Loss

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the road, looking for their first win of the season after a disappointing loss to the New York Knicks. They face the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Friday night.

The Cavaliers lost their season opener 119-111 to the Knicks. Cavaliers’ star player Donovan Mitchell led the effort with 31 points, but the team struggled without key players Darius Garland and Max Strus, both ruled out due to injuries.

Kenny Atkinson, the team’s head coach, is hopeful that his squad will bounce back against a Nets team that also had a rough start to the season, losing 136-117 to the Charlotte Hornets in their opener. The Nets are anticipated to be among the weakest teams in the NBA this season, making this matchup crucial for the Cavaliers.

Injury reports show that the Cavs will again be without Garland and Strus, while De’Andre Hunter is questionable with a knee injury. The Nets will be missing Haywood Highsmith and Danny Wolf due to ankle injuries. The lack of depth on both sides adds pressure to this game.

Mitchell’s performance will be essential as he takes on more ball-handling responsibilities. In games without Garland, Mitchell averages 29.6 points and has been a strong facilitator. However, the Cavaliers must improve their defense after being out-rebounded by the Knicks and committing numerous fouls.

The Cavaliers have acknowledged their need to adjust after their opener, where poor defensive rotations allowed New York to find open shots easily. “We just weren’t on the same page defensively,” said Atkinson. “It’s early in the season, but we need to step it up against Brooklyn.”

The Cavaliers are currently favored by 11.5 points. A win would not only boost their confidence but also reaffirm their potential to be a top contender in the Eastern Conference this season.

The game is set for 7:30 PM EST and will be broadcast live on FanDuel Sports Network.