Live Thread: Cavs @ Nets (#LotteryLuck)

The Cavs have a chance to double their good fortune today in Brooklyn when they take on the Nets. Not only can they continue to build their own chemistry with their increasing numbers… but they can also help add to the number of ping pong balls they might receive in this summer’s draft lottery.

The odds of winning shouldn’t be that hard, given the disparity of talent available between these two teams… yet, the Cavs already handed the Nets one of their 23 wins almost exactly five months ago. It was against a much different looking Cleveland squad for sure… but even the other two meetings were closer than they probably should have been. That’s because, despite their own injury issues, the Nets have scratched their way to a lot more victories then many expected. They’ve found some useful pieces in guys like Spencer Dinwiddie, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert. Also, D’Angelo Russell is back and putting up solid numbers. Brooklyn reached an easier stretch in their schedule the last week or so, winning two in a row against fellow lottery players Dallas and Memphis, before blowing a 23 point lead to Charlotte and losing a tough one to the Raptors on Friday.

Though Jeff Green did not make the trip (flu), with Larry Nance, Jr. (who will get the start in place of Green), Rodney Hood and Tristan Thompson back, the Cavs should have enough extra bodies to keep their modest winning streak going. The team is also still without Kyle Korver and Cedi Osman, as well as head coach Ty Lue, but otherwise is finally having some decent luck staying together. Their chemistry on the court is still a work in progress… but they have the ultimate trump card in LeBron James, who’s notched two of his 16 triple doubles this season against the Nets. Odds are that we may see yet another one today from the King. LeBron needs only 28 points to lock down the 10th 2,000 point season of his amazing career.

Prediction: The Cavs play ping-pong with the lead early, but ultimately scratch off the Nets to keep their winning streak alive, 128-112.

Also, if you haven’t been following commenter Jason’s fine work in the threads to keep you up to speed on how the NBA Lottery teams are lining up… the Nets currently have the sixth worst record in the League, and have around a 21% chance of winding up with one of the top three picks in the draft. Let’s hope the Cavs can help continue to improve those odds…

Catch all the action starting at 1pm EST on either FSO or NBATV. And, as always… chime in here.