Brooklyn Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, April 5 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Cavaliers about a 91% chance, and the Nets would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Cavaliers 91%, with a projected score of Brooklyn Nets 108, Cleveland Cavaliers 122. The rating gap is 293 points in favor of the Cavaliers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Cavaliers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 11 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Nets are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -18. The Cavaliers are 2-1 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -10.4.
The Nets were beaten 136-101 on the road by TOR not long ago.
The Cavaliers were beaten 130-93 at home by NYK not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Nets score 111 a game and allow 123.7. The Cavaliers score 119.3 and allow 120. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 115.5 for the Nets and 121.5 for the Cavaliers, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Cavaliers have been tough to score on, which should slow the Nets.
Injuries to watch
Out: Tyler Bilodeau (BKN), expected back Oct 30, 2026, Joshua Jefferson (BKN), Grant Nelson (BKN), Drake Powell (BKN), and Ben Saraf (BKN).
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Cavaliers lead 8-0, with the Cavaliers outscoring the Nets by an average of 11.9 points per game. The last meeting was BKN 121, CLE 125.