NBA 2025-2026: Brooklyn Nets vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Winner probability, Total Points & Spread

Brooklyn arrives on a three-game skid: losses to Boston (111-148), San Antonio (110-126) and Dallas (114-123). Those results show recurring defensive breakdowns—most glaringly the 148 allowed to Boston—while their scoring has hovered around 110-114 in those contests. Cleveland is 1-2 in their last three, with narrow losses to Detroit (119-122) and Milwaukee (116-118) and a solid win over New York (109-94), suggesting they’re competitive in close games and can close things out when they defend. Looking at the projected starters, Brooklyn’s five average an offensive rating of 110.3, a defensive rating of 119.3, and 12.28 average points made per starter. Cleveland’s projected five average an offensive rating of 124.68, a defensive rating of 114.34, and 15.71 average points made per starter. Those gaps—especially Cleveland’s superior offensive efficiency and higher scoring from starters—help explain the predicted margin.