Hopefully for the Cleveland Cavaliers, this was not a playoff preview.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -
In a key matchup for play-in positioning, the Brooklyn Nets pulled away late to defeat the Cavs 118-107 Friday night at Barclays Center. Kevin Durant led the Nets with 36 points, including 16 in the first quarter as Brooklyn jumped out to a 34-19 lead after one. The Nets led 62-54 at halftime but Cleveland rallied to take its first lead, 82-81, on an Isaac Okoro layup with 3:29 left in the 3rd.However, Brooklyn outscored the Cavs 35-19 in the fourth to put the game away.The 7 and 8 teams square off in next week’s play-in tournament.
Star rookie Evan Mobley returned from a 4-game absence for the Cavs, tallying 17 points and 7 rebounds in 34 minutes.Cleveland has one game remaining, Sunday at 3:30 p.m. against MIlwaukee at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.