Cleveland (35-24) are 3-2 since their flurry of trades to retool around LeBron James, with their 3-point shooting serving as a bellwether. The Cavaliers have gone 43 of 95 from beyond the arc in the three victories but only 16 of 69 in the two defeats, both of which have come at home.
The most recent defeat came Sunday against San Antonio in which Cleveland made just eight of 34 from long range in a 110-94 setback. James did his part as he finished one assist shy of a triple-double and totaled 33 points and 13 rebounds, but J. R. Smith, Kyle Korver and Jordan Clarkson were a combined five of 20 from 3-point range.
Brooklyn (20-41) snapped an eight-game losing streak by waxing the Chicago Bulls 104-87 on Monday night. Allen Crabbe scored 21 points while rookie Jarrett Allen threw down seven dunks en route to 18 points as the Nets held an opponent under 100 points for the first time since defeating Miami 91-85 on January 19.
They now will go about trying to end a six-game skid on the road in which they have allowed an average of 112.2 points while opponents are hitting 40.0 percent from 3-point range. Brooklyn have also dropped their last nine at Cleveland since a 113-95 victory April 3, 2013.
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