The Nets are Cavs’ biggest rival for the next 5 years

Where things are now for Cavs and Nets

To look simply at the standings, the Cleveland Cavaliers are already ahead of the Brooklyn Nets. The Cavs are 41-30 at the time of writing, sixth in the East and guaranteed not to have a losing season with 11 games to go. The Nets are looking up at them in the standings, 37-34 and clinging to eighth-place in the East.

The reality is that the Cavs are only a fringe title contender at best, with such a young team that is playing ahead of schedule this season. The Nets are still very much a real part of the title picture; per our partners over at WynnBet the Nets have the third-best title odds in the league, and the highest in the Eastern Conference.

Injuries to Kevin Durant and Joe Harris, a vaccine refusal from Kyrie Irving limiting him only to road games and a temper tantrum by James Harden all contributed to the Nets’ tumble down the standings, but this team still has tremendous star power and potential, especially if Ben Simmons can play by the postseason. No team wants to face Brooklyn in the play-in or the first round of the playoffs.

The Cavs are 1-2 against Brooklyn this season, with the two losses coming without Evan Mobley and only one with Jarrett Allen; the one win came without Kevin Durant playing. It’s been hard for the Cavs or anyone to measure themselves properly against the Nets this season. Brooklyn is currently a higher-upside team with more established stars, but that doesn’t mean the Cavs won’t finish ahead of them (they almost certainly will at this point) or that they won’t win more in the postseason. The Nets are too unpredictable.