Nets’ Upset Bid Against Unbeaten Cavaliers Falls Short After Late Fade
Brooklyn played without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving against a rested Cleveland team.
A fourth-quarter rally came up just short as the Brooklyn Nets lost 114-107 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night at Barclays Center, the Nets' second straight defeat since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving joined the injury list.
The Nets had multiple chances to tie the game late, down five points with 2:12 remaining, but misfired on several attempts that could have trimmed the deficit to one possession.
Darius Garland, who led all scorers with 32 points, made 1 of 2 from the free-throw line with 20.3 seconds remaining to clinch the victory for Cleveland.
The Nets started the fourth quarter on a 14-4 run to take a four-point lead. However, they could not sustain the momentum.
Seth Curry led the Nets with 22 points, while Ben Simmons added 19 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists. Royce O'Neale scored 16 points, and Edmond Sumner had 11.
The Cavaliers were led by Garland, who made 11 of 18 shots from the field, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range. Jarrett Allen had 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Evan Mobley added 18 points and 8 rebounds.
The Nets have now lost two straight games since Durant (MCL sprain) and Irving (right calf strain) went down with injuries. They will host the Charlotte Hornets on Monday before embarking on a four-game road trip.
