About a week-and-a-half ago, the shorthanded Cavaliers were barely treading water.
Almost fully healthy now, and buoyed by a trade that’s already paid major dividends, J.B. Bickerstaff’s re-energized squad won their third straight on Friday night – dropping the high-octane Nets for the second time in three days as they pulled away late for the 125-113 win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
After sinking the new-look Nets in a double-overtime thriller on Wednesday, the Cavaliers didn’t need any histrionics on Friday – opening up a double-digit lead late in the third quarter and coasting home from there.
The Cavaliers were the more active and more physical team throughout the night – taking nearly twice as many free throw attempts and completely dominating Brooklyn on the glass, outrebounding the Nets, 50-29.