CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't get the start they wanted Thursday night, but they'll have an opportunity to put that disappointment behind them Saturday when they host the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena.

Cleveland (0-1) appeared headed for an impressive opening-night victory against Philadelphia, building a 29-point lead late in the second quarter. Instead, the Cavaliers collapsed in the second half, allowing the 76ers to rally for a 114-106 victory.

The numbers tell the story. Cleveland scored 69 points in the first half but managed just 37 after halftime, including only 16 in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers also committed 21 turnovers and shot just 7-of-29 from three-point range. Yikes.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Evan Mobley added 18 points and eight rebounds. James Harden finished with 16 points and five assists, although his six turnovers contributed to the team's offensive problems.

Saturday's opponent offers Cleveland a good opportunity to recover. Brooklyn (0-1) is coming off a 110-103 home loss to Charlotte and finished last season with a 20-62 record.

The Nets have some dangerous offensive players, however. Julius Randle scored 33 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and handed out seven assists against Charlotte, while Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points. Cleveland will need to limit both players while taking advantage of Brooklyn's defensive weaknesses.

The Cavaliers dominated the season series last year, winning all three meetings, and have won seven consecutive matchups against the Nets dating back to November 2024.

Cleveland enters Saturday with some injury concerns. Nae'Qwan Tomlin remains sidelined with a lower-back stress reaction, while Khalifa Diop is out with a knee injury. Brooklyn will be without Tyler Bilodeau, who is dealing with a shoulder injury.

The biggest priority for Cleveland will be playing a complete game. The Cavaliers showed how dangerous their offense can be during the first half against Philadelphia, but their inability to protect the ball and maintain defensive pressure allowed the 76ers to erase a huge deficit.

Against a Brooklyn team that struggled defensively last season, Cleveland should have plenty of space to score. The challenge will be avoiding another extended stretch of careless possessions and poor defensive execution.

Game Information

Prediction

Cleveland has the advantage in both talent and depth, particularly with Mitchell, Harden, and Mobley leading the offense. Brooklyn has enough scoring ability to keep things competitive, but the Cavaliers should be motivated to erase the stain of Thursday's collapse. Expect Cleveland to play a more complete game and earn its first victory of the season, in big-time fashion.

Cleveland Cavaliers 130, Brooklyn Nets 105