Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers preview: Kenny Atkinson returns to Brooklyn

Going into tonight’s matchup with Cleveland CavaliersThere are two things that put the Brooklyn Nets at a serious disadvantage.

First, the Nets face arguably the best team in the NBA. As the second highest scoring team in the NBA averaging 121.2 PPG, the Cavs can score it. Will they continue their rampage at the Barclays Center? Most likely.

Second, the Nets are a brand new team, one that just got rid of their star point guard Dennis Schroder, and he won’t have a replacement until two-way Reece Beekman is on his way from the West Coast. Who will lead the offense you may ask. Your guess is as good as mine.

Jordi Fernandez said Sunday that he expects the team to pick up the pace now that it is clearly led by Ben Simmons. But Schroder was able to drop 30, and as we know, that’s not in Simmons’ tricks. Also, Cam Thomas’ return from a hamstring strain is still some way off. In other words, the tank is switched on.

Where to see

See the action at 7:30pm ET on YES Network and NBA League Pass.

Injuries

Bojan Bogdanovic, Cam Thomas and Ziaire Williams are injured. Reece Beekman is on the way, Jaylen Martin and Dariq Whitehead are with Long Island, and Tyrese Martin is questionable as he may also spend time with Long Island.

For the Cavs, Emoji Bates (torn meniscus) and Max Strus (ankle) will be out.

The game

In the first game of the ‘year of the tank’, the Nets will need to defend if they want to keep this one close. With Cam Thomas still out and Dennis Schroeder now a Golden State Warrior, the Nets will look to the Keon Johnsons and Shake Miltons of the world to run around and keep up with the exciting backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. You can also add former Net Caris LeVert as a catalyst that can cause problems as well.

Defensively, the Cavs are allowing the 11th fewest points in the league. And guess what. Nets score the 11th fewest points in the league! Not good. Cam Johnson (while he’s still here) will need to heat up quickly and show his hot hand that he’s had all season if Brooklyn wants to keep it close. Can Ben Simmons do any damage as his transition game can provide good looks throughout the contest? Who is his back up until Beekman arrives? Shake Milton and Keon Johnson.

Did we say the tank is on?

Player to watch: Jarrett Allen

Levert won’t be the only former Net returning to Brooklyn, as Jarrett Allem will also return to his former home. Allen has been solid for Cleveland so far, averaging close to 13 and 9 so far this season, as well as being the almighty force in the paint that Brooklyn fans grew to love from him … despite some duo of superstars prefer DeAndre Jordan

It will be interesting to see Allen and Clax battle low. Both have similar styles, know their jobs and care about getting the job done. You gotta love a big man fight like this.

And of course there is a coach to watch. This is Kenny Atkinson’s first return to Brooklyn as a head coach since he was let go just before COVID shut down the NBA and the rest of the world in March 2020. At the time, his departure was called a mutual decision, but as Atkinson made clear when the Nets were in Cleveland, he was fired, a word he used more than once to describe how things went. The native Long Islander will have a lot of friends and family in attendance, making things even more intense.

From the Vault

Signs, signs, everywhere a sign. You remember Kenny Atkinson’s pun back in November 2019. It led to a proliferation of memes, but maybe also a victory…

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