The Nets go straight from blowing Friday’s game at East-leading Toronto to facing LeBron James and three-time defending conference champ Cleveland. What’s that about out of the frying pan?
The Cavaliers (43-29) are going to be taking the game seriously, with the 76ers, Pacers and Wizards all within three games of them. The Nets have their work cut out Sunday at Barclays Center.
Friday’s silver lining was the rapid development of young point guard D’Angelo Russell, coming off his first triple-double with 18 points and career-highs of 13 assists and 11 rebounds. It was the Nets’ first since Terrence Williams on April 9, 2010, and their first in regulation since the halcyon Jason Kidd era.