Brooklyn Nets lose sideshow to Cleveland Cavaliers 118-95

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty ImagesThursday’s game at the Barclays Center was the sequel to Opening Night.

Way back in late October, the Brooklyn Nets hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers to begin the 2023-’24 season. Both teams were full of hope, with Cleveland adding some much-needed shooting in year two of true contention, and the Nets officially embarking on a new journey.

The Cavaliers won a barn-burner of a game, as Donovan Mitchell hit a last-second three to take a one-point lead. Both teams left with the same hope they entered with. The Nets, despite the loss, played well! They scored efficiently, they ran in transition, Barclays was buzzing, and it was fun. Nobody expected a…