The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off their worst performance of the season on defense after losing 127-98 to the Atlanta Hawks on their home court. The loss broke the Cavaliers home win streak and has the team searching for answers on the defensive side of the game. Now they will get a chance to redeem themselves as the Brooklyn Nets come to town having lost the first matchup earlier in December.
The Cavaliers had thought their defensive issues were over. The team was limiting opponents to just 91.6 points on 43.6 shooting during an eight game win streak, but that has gotten away from them as they are now giving up an average of 109.3 points on 52.0 percent shooting while dropping their last three of four games. That resulted in the big loss to the Hawks and a lecture from head coach David Blatt.
Kyrie Irving will be looked upon heavily Friday as the point guard is coming off one his worst games of his career. The point guard failed to get into double figures for just the third time in 24 games. He has just nine point on nine attempts. That forced LeBron James to play point guard more than before. The Cavaliers should be able to get back on track as Brooklyn's offense has only scored over 100 points once in the last 13 games, averaging just 89.3 while dropping their last five of seven games.
If there is a bright spot for the Nets it is Mason Plumlee. After a successful summer with Team USA, Plumlee is carrying that momentum into the season which might force a trade of Brook Lopez in the near future. The center is averaging 18.3 points on 66 percent shooting in his last four games. Brooklyn should be getting Kevin Garnett back into the mix after he sat out for rest. Both he, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams were not available the first time these two teams played each other.
