3 keys to success for Cavs in their #7-8 play in-game versus Nets

#1: Cashing in more from three outside of Darius Garland than on Friday

The Cavs did a heck of a job to get back into things on Friday in Brooklyn after a nightmarish start to that game, when they were down 15 points after the first quarter. Cleveland chipped away from there, and thanks to their big third quarter, they went into the fourth quarter up 5.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers would run out of gas in the fourth, and Brooklyn would win 118-107, and the Nets had their way in the closing period.

To me, though, what was detrimental to Cleveland, among other things, was some awful misses at crucial times throughout from deep.

Part of that likely was foul trouble for Lauri Markkanen and Caris LeVert before, as they both finished with four and five fouls, and Cleveland needs to stress for both to pick their defensive battles, regarding that.

But overall, aside from Darius Garland, who went 3-of-6 (50.0 percent), the Cavs were just 5-of-21 (23.8 percent) from deep, and against this Nets offense, the opportunities from ball-swings will be there.

The Cavaliers just have to knock more of those down here, because they’re frankly not going to generate nearly the same volume of free throws, whether or not that’s to the chagrin of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

This Wine and Gold squad is more than capable, too, and Markkanen, Kevin Love, and Cedi Osman can get hot when open.

If there’s more balance in that realm, Cleveland will still have the interior there to counter it, if the Cavs can keep their turnovers relatively low again.

Garland just needs more from the key catch-and-shoot guys here, and if the Cavaliers are patient, I believe that can play out.