![[Trending News] Cavaliers vs Nets Preview | A small stone in the shoe](https://i0.wp.com/www.nbamaniacs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NETS_VS_CAVALIERS_3_11_2025.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "[Trending News] Cavaliers vs Nets Preview | A small stone in the shoe")
The Brooklyn Nets are specializing in making things difficult for teams that are on paper much stronger than them. Just yesterday they beat Los Angeles Lakers taking the match to an ultra-physical level that the Los Angeles team ended up paying for. The Cleveland Cavaliers, on a 14-game winning streak (their second of the season), should be a different story. Although it wouldn’t be the first time they’ve had a hard time against them this season.
Check the forecasts here.
When is it played?
Date: March 11, 2025, February 12 in Europe.
Time: 00:00 Spanish time.
An impossible
Jordi Fernández’s Brooklyn Nets will be visiting Cleveland, the most impregnable home ground in the competition. The Cavaliers have lost four games at home. This, coming back-to-back and the difference in the record of both teams could lead one to think of a formality for the locals. However, Brooklyn is competing above its possibilities and it would not be strange if they did it again this night.
For a place in history
Cleveland is projected to achieve 69 wins this season. That would mean signing the third best season in history along with the Lakers of 72 and the Bulls of 97. They are in this position by beating those who are considered direct rivals, but above all by overwhelming the inferior teams in a functional way. Even if things get complicated, as was the case last week against Charlotte, the victory ends up falling on their side aitch or by be.
The last game against Milwaukee is a good example of what these Cavaliers are like on a day-to-day basis. Playing against a strong opponent, who is well positioned in the game (especially defensively) and without any performance out of the ordinary (despite Max Strus), they solved the problem with ease.
It is easy for someone to step up when they are in a bad situation. And it is normal for the collective to do so directly, through the core team or the bench. An infinite number of resources that make it the most versatile attack in the world.
Last five games:
- Victory @ Milwaukee Bucks (100-112)
- Victoria @ Charlotte Horntes (118-117)
- Victoria vs Miami Heat (112-107)
- Victoria @ Chicago Bulls (139-117)
- Victory vs Portland Trail Blazers (133-129)
The bear’s skin
Brooklyn gets beat up, too. They also have nights where they’re simply run over or their offense falls alarmingly short. That’s what it means to be one of the worst teams in the league. But the number of nights they compete to the bitter end far exceeds ‘the other nights.’
Before defeating the Lakers, the Nets had lost seven straight games. Several of them by a wide margin. Even so, they have surpassed the Philadelphia Sixers in the standings and the Chicago Bulls They don’t seem that far away in that tenth place.
Without Dennis Schröder and Ben Simmons the team has lost defense. The version that has reached them from D’Angelo Russell is somewhat watered down although surprisingly generous with the collective game. And they continue to compete. Coach and team do not want to hear about the tanking.Which is sometimes enough.
Last five games:
- Victory vs Los Angeles Lakers (111-108)
- Defeat @ Charlotte Hornets (105-102)
- Defeat vs Golden State (119-121)
- Defeat @ San Antonio (127-113)
- Defeat @ Detroit Pistons (115-94)
Keys of the match
These are the aspects that can decide the meeting.
players to watch
- Cam Johnson: The Nets’ most consistent player of the season once the talent market has gone out of play, Johnson is the kind of forward who can give the Cavs trouble simply because of his size and technical ability. He can also be a problem when it comes to stopping Mitchell and Garland.
- Cam Thomas: Watching the point guard play is a first-class sensory experience. A scorer of the sort that no longer exists, capable of giving up the rest of the nuances of the game to focus on his relationship with the rim. If the Cavaliers have firepower off the bench, Thomas can blow things up any time he’s on the court. Sometimes for better, and sometimes for worse.
- Jarret Allen: His game against Milwaukee was a huge one. It is often forgotten that he is a former Nets player and that it is always special to face the team that drafted you. With Nic Claxton being a good player, going from Alex Len to Allen and Evan Mobley may be too drastic.
- Max Strus: It’s a matter of secondary players. Max Strus’ work is going very under the radar. According to NBA Stats metrics, the shooting guard is the player who covers the most distance at high speed in the entire NBA. A movement that serves to open up defenses for the rest, but also to generate more open shots. His role in these Cavs, to which he arrived late due to injury, is outstanding.
Handcuffing the Cavaliers
If Brooklyn lets this turn into a barnstorming match: game overCleveland is the best offense in the league and the Nets only have a chance to win if they hold them under 110 points. Now the question is whether they have the tools to do so.
Too big
The Nets are not a small team. They are if you compare their interior to Cleveland’s. By inches and muscle. Whoever has to dance with Evan Mobley will surely suffer. And the duel between Nic Claxton and Jarret Allen starts off somewhat unfavorably for the Brooklyn native. The Nets’ physical level has to be at least as high as yesterday if they expect there to be a game.
Party Calls
This is how both teams arrive at the match.
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Possible starting five: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.
- alternates: De’Andre Hunter, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Isaaco Okoro, Javonte Green, Craig Porter Jr., Tristan Thompson, Jaylon Tyson.
- Questions: De' other Hunter.
- Confirmed withdrawals: You Jerome.
Brooklyn Nets
- Possible starting five: Cam Thomas, Keon Johnson, Cam Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Nic Claxton
- alternates: Tyrese Martin, Noah Clowney, Day’Ron Sharpe, Jalen Wilson, Reece Beekman.
- Questions: Cam Thomas.
- Confirmed withdrawals: D’Angelo Russell.
Match Prediction
Easy win for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Anything other than that scenario would be a contender for the NBA upset of the year. The Cavs are flying in and the Nets are coming off a bad streak that they broke less than 24 hours ago and with no small effort. Silver platter
key data
These are the data that summarise how each team is approaching the match.
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Brooklyn Nets | |
| 52-10 | BALANCE | 22-42 |
| 122 (1nd) | Offensive ratings | 108,7 (27nd) |
| 110,9 (7nd) | Defensive Ratings | 1152 (23nd) |
| +11 (2º) | Net ratings | -6,5 (26th) |
| 100,48 (100nd) | Rhythm | 96,33 (30nd) |
| 10-0 | Last 10 games | 2-8 |
Latest Cavaliers vs Nets
A resounding 3-0 leads their head-to-heads this season. In favor of Cleveland, of course. The first was tied and was resolved by just five points. The second was already +29 for the Cavs.
What do you think? Is there any chance for Brooklyn or should we already point to Cleveland winning? We’ll read your opinion.
(Cover photo: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)