Nets at Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are missing something on the defensive end in the early going as they try to navigate life without LeBron James. The Cavaliers will try to solve some of their communication issues on defense when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Cleveland is allowing opponents to shoot 49.5 percent from the floor, including 43.8 percent from 3-point range, during an 0-3 start and was crushed 133-111 in the home opener by the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. "Whoever’s in the game has got to be ready to play, take the scout serious and understand what we’re doing," center Tristan Thompson told the Akron Beacon Journal. "If you don’t know what to do, ask questions. But don’t go out there and say, ‘I know. I know,’ and then you come out there and get your (butt) whupped." The Nets went through their own struggles on the defensive end in a 132-112 loss at Indiana on Saturday but are getting an upgrade on that end with the return of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who missed the first three games with an adductor strain. "I definitely can come out and contribute defensively just being a vocal, energetic and hardworking guy," Hollis-Jefferson told reporters. "It’s just about doing whatever they need me to do and doing that extremely well."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE NETS (1-2): Injuries to the likes of Hollis-Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe gave Caris LeVert the opportunity to get more shots up in the first three games, and he took advantage. LeVert, who averaged 12.1 points in a reserve role last season, is averaging 24.7 points on 65 percent shooting while logging 31.3 minutes in the first three games. Small forward Joe Harris started in Hollis-Jefferson's spot in the first three games and averaged 14.3 points while shooting 52.9 percent from beyond the arc.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (0-3): Cleveland allowed the Hawks to bury 22 3-pointers in Sunday's setback and were outscored 41-25 in the fourth quarter. "Opening Night at home we expect to play better," star power forward Kevin Love told reporters. "We expect to play better in front of our home crowd. I don't know if alarming is the right word but it sure sounds right, just with our effort level. Our effort level wasn't there, especially defending the 3-point line. They were just gunning and we weren't getting into them, we weren't physical." Love had a rough night from beyond the arc in that loss while hitting 1-of-8 but is averaging 20.7 points and 14.3 rebounds.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Nets PG Shabazz Napier (hamstring) is expected to make his season debut on Wednesday.
2. Cavaliers SG JR Smith (elbow) sat out Sunday and is questionable.
3. Cleveland took the final three meetings last season while averaging 123 points.