Brooklyn Nets break 10-game skid in Cleveland, slam Cavs 102-86

The Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night got their first win in Cleveland in more than 5 years, blasting the Cavaliers 102-86 to improve to 2-2 on the season.

In his first Brooklyn Nets broadcast, Nets legend Richard Jefferson highlighted the Nets potential when healthy. After a beatdown taken from the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night, the Nets played with a chip on their shoulder, dishing out a 16-point win to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 102-86.

Not only did the Nets impress as a whole, but D’Angelo Russell found his groove tonight. Russell’s 18 points and eight assists reminded the Nets why he is at the helm of this young team.

Both the Nets and Cavaliers survived atrocious shooting percentages in the first half, but it was in the third quarter that the Nets took a dramatic turn towards the win.

The Nets broke away from the Cavs during an 18-1 run at the beginning of the third quarter. Highlighted by two Jared Dudley corner 3s, Kenny Atkinson’s offensive scheme looked better than ever during this stretch.

During this third quarter, the Nets hit 16-of-22 shots, proving when the team finds its shots, it can hang with the best of them.

The Nets committed 14 turnovers Wednesday night, compared to the Cavs’ 15. While they would like to cut that number down, the Nets still showed improvement in that category.

On the other hand, the Nets’ starting five all ended in double digits, headlined by Russell’s 18 and Joe Harris, who finished with 16.

Ed Davis posted his first double-double as a Net, coming off the bench for 10 points and 10 boards in 17 minutes.

Along with amazing production from the starters, the debuts of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with seven points and Shabazz Napier, who scored eight, showed flashes of depth from the Nets bench.

When all is said and done, a win is a win, but more importantly we got to see a healthy team that looks ready to embark on the rest of the season. The Nets are back at .500, ready for another away matchup in the Big Easy on Friday against the 3-0 New Orleans Pelicans.