The Cleveland Cavaliers built another big lead and nearly maintained it the whole way in a 125-121 win over the Brooklyn Nets. It wasn’t until the final few minutes that this game became tighter than it had any business being.
There’s much to point to. A lofty 23 turnovers are the starting point. Empty possessions when you have an opportunity to hammer the final nail in the coffin are another. Either way you cut it, the Cavs are off to a sloppy start this season.
Evan Mobley began the game strong with a pair of three-pointers and a smooth bucket in the paint during the opening quarter. Similar to opening night in Philly, Jarrett Allen joined Mobley for an eight-point quarter to begin tonight’s game. The Cavs have made it a point of emphasis to involve their bigs early.
Allen even hit his first three-pointer since December of 2025.
Cleveland enjoyed better three-point shooting overall. They shot just 7-for-29 in their season opener, but began tonight 10-of-17 from deep in the first. Things certainly feel better when the ball is going through the hoop.
The Cavs rode that hot shooting to a 14-point lead going into halftime. Mobley and Allen led the team in scoring with 13 points each.
As mentioned, the final minutes became helter-skelter. The Cavs allowed the Nets to creep back into the game by forcing turnovers and slowing Cleveland’s offense to a halt. The Cavaliers turned it over eight times in the quarter while Brooklyn nailed eight three-pointers.
Their 22-point lead was whittled to two points with under 10 seconds to play. It was a near disaster that, in all honesty, still has lingering effects despite the Cavs holding on.
The Nets were led in scoring by Michael Porter Jr. with 28 points, while Julius Randle and Egor Demin combined for 43 points.
Despite all that, the Cavs got their first win of the season and are now 1-1. They host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.