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BREAKING NEWS LIberty’s Breanna Stewart named WNBA MVP

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Nets begin Thanksgiving week in Cleveland

By Brian Fleurantin
Dallas Mavericks v Cleveland Cavaliers Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

Well alright. Fresh off their win against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, the Brooklyn Nets went on a subway-length trip to Manhattan (They actually take buses) to begin their three-game road trip. It was a tough one, but they wound up beating the New York Knicks on Sunday night at MSG. It was the team's third straight victory and fourth in their last five, all without Kyrie Irving. After this one, the Nets begin a home-and-home set with the Boston Celtics.

The opponent tonight will be the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have a new coach in John Beilein who they’re gradually getting used to. It’s their hope that Beilein, who achieved great success at Michigan, will be the person to guide them back into the playoffs. They last played on Saturday when they won against the Portland Trailblazers.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. WCBS 880 AM on radio. Tip off after 7 PM.

Injuries

Caris Levert and Wilson Chandler are out. Kyrie Irving is out for this one, too. So is Kevin Durant for that matter.

Kevin Love sat on Saturday due to a back issue. He’s questionable again Monday.

The game

I could be wrong, but I think Kyrie Irving has only played in Cleveland against the Cavs once since the trade in 2017. I wonder how Cava fans feel about Irving and his contributions to the franchise these days.

As the Cavs (5-11) continue to rebuild, their youngsters will take center stage. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton are the backcourt duo and as you would expect from young guards, it's been a difficult transition to the pro level. Even with those struggles, the duo has a ton of potential and should continue to grow as the season progresses.

Spencer Dinwiddie has really stepped it up with Irving and Levert out and has been Brooklyn's go to player when they need to cook up something good. When the reinforcements return and Dinwiddie returns to the second unit, he should bolster a unit that has had its troubles this season. In the meantime, look for Dinwiddie to go for 20+ again tonight.

One former Cav —there are three of them— who will leave a mark on this game will be Joe Harris. Harris has gotten more of a green light these days, and when the reinforcements get back, having a shooter like Harris even more involved in the offense will make life so much easier for everyone. Also, this is hilarious

Player to watch: Tristan Thompson

Quiet as it’s kept, Tristan Thompson might play himself into the All Star Game. TT is averaging a double double a night and has even hit a few three pointers, too. The Cavs have been trying to feature him in the low post some, which is a pretty terrible idea but when you're rebuilding like the Cavs are, might as well do some oddball stuff.

As per usual with Thompson, who he is (and isn’t) dating is always a topic of discussion, but he’s managed to stay off The Shade Room for the past few days. Lucky him.

Jarrett Allen will do his best to keep TT off the boards. Allen was outstanding last night, scoring 18 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, staying out of foul trouble, and outplaying fellow young big man Mitchell Robinson. The more he plays, the better he gets. He’s averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds in the three-game win streak.

From the Vault

Now that we're getting ready to enter into 2020, places like ESPN and Complex Magazine are asking what are the biggest shots made in this decade. I think our friends in Cleveland would nominate this beauty

More reading: Fear the Sword

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