Cleveland Cavaliers expose Brooklyn Nets for second time in three days

Cleveland Cavaliers expose Brooklyn Nets for second time in three days
Collin Sexton, Kevin Durant and James Harden

A valid team effort by the Cleveland Cavaliers saw them get past the hyped Brooklyn Nets for the second time in 3 days. Ever since the Big 3 of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving has been formed, the Nets are surely one of the favorites to win the championship. Collin Sexton scored 25 points, whereas Andre Drummond scored a double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Cavaliers. 

The Brooklyn Nets precautionary held back Kevin Durant who made his comeback from right Achilles tendon injury. Kyrie Irving scored 38 points. Whereas James Harden scored 19 points and 11 assists for the Nets. The Cavaliers outrebounded the Nets 50-29 and scored 70 points in the paint, maintaining a double-digit lead for the final 13 minutes. 

Cleveland Cavaliers get the better of Brooklyn Nets for the second time 

“That’s a lot of points in the paint,” said James Harden. “Offensive rebounds happen, layups happen, good things don’t happen when the ball gets in the paint, and tonight we allowed that too much.” 

“We’re kind of learning on the fly because we haven’t had many practices, but we have to have constant effort,” Harden said. “Honestly, our problem isn’t offense. We’re not worried at all about offense. It’s our defense.” 

Now, the message from Nets coach Steve Nash is to walk the tightrope of not panicking but also urgently improving on the defensive end of the floor. 

“We just need to find a way to play harder,” Nash said. “Dig deeper. We are not a defensive roster. We have to take more pride, contest more shots, fight, scrap, claw, and that’s what I think is missing as much as anything schematic that we’re breaking down.” 

Nash added, “I think the bigger message is that just showing up to the gym is not good enough.” 

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