2023 Playoffs Preview: Round 1 - CLE @ BRO

[Skip Bayless (Bball26 Analyst)]

#1 Brooklyn Nets (22-7) vs. #8 Cleveland Cavaliers (12-17)

Another interesting 1/8 matchup. I don't think we've had a year where both 1/8 matchups had a legitimate chance of an upset. Andre and the Nets started the season hot, but injuries came back to bite them again and may have to get through week 1 of the playoffs without both Durant and Doncic. The Cavs? They're playing house money right now. What looked more like a rebuild than a retool has quickly turned into a potential playoff run for Cleveland with the Celtics end of season collapse. The Cavs have the game advantage and health advantage. Will they be able to stun the Nets in a wide open Eastern side of the bracket?

Looking at Cleveland's team, it's really hard to see how they ended up in this position. That being said, here they are. Looking at the week, a 4 game Jalen Brunson week is obviously huge. JB has been as consistent as they come all year. Only having 3 Darius Garland games hurts, but 2 of those are fast paced matchups against the Grizzlies and Pacers. To pull off an upset, Cleveland is going to need their stars to play to the level of studs, going from 30 FPG to upper 30s at a minimum for the week. If they can do that, the role players may just do enough to pull out a win here.


The Nets have to be frustrated with how this season has played out. The team was playing as well as they've had since Andre became GM, but the injury bug comes back to strike for a second straight season. However, no one is going to feel sorry for them and I know they aren't crying over spilled milk. Luka's health, especially for Monday's game, on a 3 game week is paramount for the Nets this week. Despite having less overall games this week, 4 games from Capela, Russ, and Looney is huge. The Nets are certainly favored, but this is a lot closer than it should be given the rosters on both teams.

Cavaliers X-factor: Darius Garland and Jalen Brunson
Nets X-factor: Luka Doncic's health

Caleb's pick: Cavaliers
Tyler's pick: Nets
Sarge's pick: Nets
Skip's pick: Nets

[Skip Bayless (Bball26 Analyst)]

The Brooklyn Nets get upset a la the 2006 Dallas Mavericks to the 8th seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 625.5-717.5

Wow, are you not entertained? The Nets lack of depth gets punished in round 1 as they can't overcome injuries to both Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant. The Cavaliers ride a dominant performance from Jalen Brunson (126.5 points) into the second round as the cinderella story continues. After such a disappointing exit for the second year in a row, we'll see if Brooklyn makes any changes to their "studs and duds" roster construction.

The Cavs look to keep the magic alive in round 2 against the 76ers

Player of the game: Jalen Brunson - 126.5 points, 42.17 FPPG

Caleb's pick: Cavaliers
Tyler's pick: Nets
Sarge's pick: Nets
Skip's pick: Nets