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Cavaliers
The Cavaliers can’t dwell on Madison Square Garden for long. After a somewhat disjointed opener against the Knicks, Cleveland’s focus now shifts inward more than toward the opponent, writes Ethan Sands of Cleveland.com.
Friday’s visit to Brooklyn isn’t about who’s across from them. It’s about finding their rhythm, Sands added. Darius Garland and Max Strus remain out, leaving the Cavs short on playmaking and spacing. Without them, the offense stalled, leaning too heavily on Donovan Mitchell to play hero ball.
Kenny Atkinson promised movement, balance and shared responsibility. What he got was isolation and hesitation.
Evan Mobley showed flashes, finishing with 22 points and eight boards, but Cleveland’s offense lacked flow. The challenge now is to build trust in Atkinson’s system — not revert to the old ways whenever things get clunky.
The Nets might not scare anyone, but as Atkinson said, that’s beside the point. What matters is that the Cavs resemble themselves for the full game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST in Brooklyn.
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Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com revisited the summer of 2017, when Cavs owner Dan Gilbert nearly hired Chauncey Billups as general manager after parting with David Griffin. Billups turned it down, citing timing and family, and the Cavs instead promoted Koby Altman. Fast-forward to now, and Billups — who’s currently on leave from Portland — faces federal charges for alleged involvement in a mafia-linked poker ring. “What if” has never sounded more fortunate for Cleveland.
Nets
Brooklyn’s season opener didn’t inspire much confidence. Projected to be near the bottom of the East, the Nets looked the part in a 136-117 loss to Charlotte.
“We weren’t good defensively, especially in transition,” Michael Porter Jr. said, via Brian Lewis of The New York Post. The Hornets shot 53 percent from the field and 47 percent from three, racing out for 23 fast-break points.
Nic Claxton called for more energy and urgency.
“When we face adversity, we’ve got to be better,” he said.
Porter, who finished minus-19, admitted he “didn’t feel fresh.” The Nets won’t hit panic mode after one game, but the film session couldn’t have been pleasant.
Warriors
Stephen Curry did what he always does.
The Warriors’ star dropped 42 points, including 35 after halftime, to lead a 137-131 overtime win over the Nuggets. Denver forward Aaron Gordon nearly stole the show with 50 points on 17-of-21 shooting, including 10-of-11 from deep, but Curry’s late barrage turned the tide.
“He was incredible,” Draymond Green said, via Monte Poole of NBC Bay Area. “We needed every one of those.”
It was the kind of early-season statement that matters for Golden State — proof that even with an older roster and new faces, they can still go punch-for-punch with one of the NBA’s elite.
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