Last Time Out: The Nets defeated the Cavaliers 106-98 in the team’s most recent meeting last March at Barclays Center, but are looking to end a four-game losing streak in Ohio. Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson scored 20 points apiece in that meeting, while the Nets bench outscored the Cavs bench 54-20. Bojan Bodanovic (18 points, four rebounds) and Jarrett Jack (16 points, four rebounds, five assists) led bench players in the win.
Points in the Paint: The Nets scored a season-high 64 points in the paint on Wednesday against Oklahoma City, marking the 11th time in 15 games the Nets outscored their opponent in that area. Thaddeus Young (12 ppg) and Brook Lopez (10.4 ppg) lead the Nets in points in the paint and both rank in the top echelon of the league. Young is fourth in the league in points in the paint (per game), while Lopez is 12th. As a team, the Nets are averaging 45.7 points in the paint per game, fourth in the NBA.
Last Eight Games: The Nets have improved their points, assists, rebounds, turnovers and steals over the past eight games. The Nets are scoring more (102.5 points-per-game, up from 90.4), rebounding more (46.6 per game, up from 42.3) and turning the ball over less (14 down from 15.9).
Cleveland: Led by Lebron James, the Cavaliers lead the NBA’s Eastern Conference with a 12-4 record, most recently beating the Charlotte Hornets 95-90 on Friday night.
James, a four-time MVP, 11-time all-star and two-time NBA champion, is one of the game’s best. He’s averaging 25.6 points-per-game (fifth in the NBA), along with 7.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists. James has a nice supporting cast around him in Cleveland, including Kevin Love, who is averaging 19.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game (3rd in the NBA).