Cooper Albers provides his insights, forecasts, and selections for the upcoming NBA game on Sunday featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Brooklyn Nets.
CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 24: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers maneuvers with the ball during the matchup against the New York Knicks on February 24, 2026, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: By downloading and/or utilizing this Photograph, the user explicitly acknowledges and agrees to the terms and conditions outlined in the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Konlin/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center, concluding their regular-season matchup as rivals from the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th in the East) have suffered consecutive losses without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, facing opponents of significantly higher caliber. They will look to achieve a three-game sweep against Brooklyn in Mitchell’s absence, while Harden’s status remains uncertain.
The Nets (15–44, 14th in the East) are currently enduring a harsh seven-game losing streak, which includes a 112–84 defeat against the Cavaliers on February 19.
Take a moment to review the Injury Report for the Cavaliers vs Nets matchup:
Cleveland Cavaliers facing off against the Nets
Unavailable: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), and Dean Wade (Ankle) are listed as questionable, along with James Harden (Thumb) and Keon Ellis (Finger).
Cavaliers versus Nets
Result: Egor Demin (Heel Injury), Drake Powell (Assigned to G-League)
Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment) are both listed as questionable, along with Nic Claxton (Thumb).
The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Cavaliers are favored by a significant 11.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Nets are positioned as a +410 underdog. The total points for the matchup is established at 222.5.
Preview of the Cavaliers and Nets Matchup
Preview of the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers made a bold move at the NBA trade deadline, trading Darius Garland to Los Angeles in exchange for superstar guard James Harden. This risk appeared to pay off, as the former MVP integrated effortlessly into the team alongside Donovan Mitchell. Following Harden’s debut, Cleveland achieved a record of 6–1, with their only defeat coming against the reigning champions in Oklahoma City.
The momentum quickly faded when both Harden and Mitchell were sidelined due to injuries. The Cavaliers have suffered consecutive losses in the absence of their star players against Milwaukee and Detroit. While Harden is considered questionable for Sunday’s game due to a thumb fracture on his non-shooting hand, Mitchell is still out with a groin strain.
The Cavaliers have a record of just 2–4 this season when Mitchell is absent. Should Harden remain sidelined, they will probably continue to depend on their skilled frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Additionally, Cleveland boasts a dependable veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, complemented by a consistent sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.
Preview of the Brooklyn Nets
The Nets secured five victories in 2026. Just five.
Were any of these victories particularly noteworthy? Not really. They defeated a Denver Nuggets team without Nikola Jokic, the struggling Chicago Bulls on two occasions, the underperforming Washington Wizards, and the rebuilding Utah Jazz.
Since January 1, the Nets have been at the bottom of the rankings on both offense and defense, falling short of expectations. They are currently on a seven-game losing streak, highlighted by a 37-point defeat against Boston last Friday night.
Michael Porter Jr. will persist in attempting to lead a struggling offense in the absence of rookie sensation Egor Demin. The Brooklyn team will also rely on its developing frontcourt, featuring Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (who is questionable).
Prediction and Top Wager for Cavaliers vs. Nets
Monitor the injury updates closely for this matchup. Should Harden be unavailable, the Cavaliers might struggle to generate enough offense to secure a lead. Conversely, if the former MVP takes the court, anticipate him and the Cavs to exploit Brooklyn’s weak defense and easily cover the 11.5-point spread.