Cavs vs Nets: Starters, odds, prediction and TV channel

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Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images /

Cavs vs Opponent: Project starting lineups, injury report

Nets starters: James Harden, Patty Mills, DeAndre Bembry, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin.

Cavs: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen

The Nets’ key injuries: Nic Claxton (out, illness); Joe Harris (out, ankle); Bruce Brown (out, hamstring); Kyrie Irving (out, AWOL)

The Cavaliers’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Evan Mobley (out, elbow); Cedi Osman (doubtful, back); Lamar Stevens (doubtful, ankle)

The Brooklyn Nets will have Kevin Durant back after he missed a game over the weekend, but they are still missing several key starters. Joe Harris continues to be out with an ankle injury, which is why Patty Mills should continue to start as the floor-spacing shooter. Bruce Brown has started the last 14 games for the Nets, but he will miss this game with a hamstring injury. It’s unclear who Steve Nash would tab to replace him, but DeAndre Bembry seems a good bet given his defensive versatility defending guards and wings.

For the Cavs, they welcome back Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen. Both will likely step back into the starting lineup — Allen for certain, Markkanen most likely. Dean Wade has played well in Markkanen’s absence, however, and the guess here is that head coach J.B. Bickerstaff rewards that by keeping him in the starting lineup for as long as Evan Mobley continues to miss games.

In the backcourt, the Cavs have to figure out the starting 2-guard for the remainder of the season without Sexton. Isaac Okoro has received the start for the last two weeks and should get some more run in that spot. Eventually, however, the team may decide to try out a player who is not such a negative offensively.