Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets Friday, Prediction and Pick, Friday, October 24, 2025
The Brooklyn Nets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers as the rivals each are seeking their first win. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 PM Eastern, as Cleveland has its sights on a Finals appearance. Read on for the Cavs vs the Nets prediction and more free NBA picks.
Cavs Come Up Short At New York
Cleveland found itself in a hole early, trailing by 10 at the end of the first quarter. Cleveland took the lead early in the 4th, but was unable to hold on down the stretch. Donovan Mitchell finished with 31 points, scoring 21 of those in the 3rd as the Cavs outscored New York by 15 in the quarter. Cleveland shot over 46% from the floor, but lost the battle on the glass and in the painted area.
The Cleveland Cavaliers enter this contest averaging 111 points per game, which lands them at 24th in the league. The Cavs have struggled in the painted area early in the season, averaging just 30 points down low per contest. That said, they sit top 10 in effective field goal percentage and are hovering around the top of the league in 3-pointers made and attempted per contest. Cleveland has taken great control of the basketball, but the methodical offensive gameplay has this team seeing fewer possessions per game. A key point of emphasis will be on creating second-chance points. Cleveland sits in the bottom five in offensive rebound rate.
Key Stats:
- Donovan Mitchell: 31 points per game
- Evan Mobley: 8 rebounds per game
- Team Free Throw Percentage: 66.7%
On defense, the Cavaliers continued their formidable play. They held New York to 119 points while retaining a top 10 opponent's effective field goal percentage. The interior defense remains a staple, with the Cavs sitting firmly inside the top 10 in paint points allowed. They have also done well to force the ball on the floor and limit perimeter shots. The quick-handedness was demonstrated in game one as the Cavs scored 22 transition points. Look for Cleveland to continue limiting second-chance points, but they can't afford to allow 36 free throw attempts again.
Key Injuries: De'Andre Hunter (GTD), Darius Garland (Out), Max Strus (Out)
Nets Look For First Win In Home Opener
Brooklyn was unable to contain the Hornets' offense as they fell in a 117-136 final. Four starters finished in double figures, with Nic Claxton leading the way with 17. Ego Demin added 14 off the bench, which included four 3-pointers. Brooklyn was without its first round pick, Danny Wolf. The team allowed Charlotte to shoot over 53% from the floor, and they lost both the rebound and paint battle.
The Brooklyn Nets enter this contest sitting 18th in the league with 117 points per game. The Nets were inefficient in the painted area in their season opener, but they got to the line 34 times. Brooklyn sits top 10 in 3-pointers made and attempted per contest. Ball control was a problem in the season opener, but the Nets were strong on the offensive boards. If they can keep their trips to the line frequent and take better control of the basketball, look for Brooklyn to figure its offense out.
Key Stats:
- Nic Claxton: 17.0 points per game
- Ben Saraf: 7.4 rebounds per game
- Team Free Throw Percentage: 73.5%
On defense, the Nets sit 27th in the league with 136 points allowed in game one of the season. Brooklyn sits bottom five in opponent effective field goal percentage, and they also sit bottom 10 in opponent 3-pointers made per game. The interior defense has some work to do as Brooklyn sits bottom 10 in paint points allowed per game and bottom five in blocks per game. Brooklyn failed to close out possessions regularly in game one, and it'll be important that they clean that up here. The Nets will need to do a better job creating transition opportunities, as they had just five fast-break points in game one.
Key Injuries: Danny Wolf (GTD), Drake Powell (GTD), Haywood Highsmith (Out)
Cavaliers vs Nets Pick
Pick for Cavaliers vs Nets
- Cleveland -3.5
The Cavaliers continue to show they can rely on their defense. We haven't seen that from the Nets thus far, who should be awful once again this year. Cleveland has its sights on the Finals this season, and after losing a tough one to an Eastern Conference rival - and likely postseason foe- we should expect the Cavs to come out with a vengeance here. Brooklyn sits in the bottom half of the league in turnovers and effective field goal percentage. Its offense has also struggled in the open court, while the defense sits bottom 10 in interior points and fast break points allowed.
Cleveland -3.5
Total for Cavaliers vs Nets
- Under 227.5
Neither of these teams will look to push the pace to breakneck speed. As cited, Cleveland prefers to run its offense in the halfcourt and stonewall you with its defense. Meanwhile, Brooklyn was only able to generate five fast break points in the season opener, indicating that team chemistry is still brewing. Look for both teams to slow it down here and ultimately hold this total under the number.
Under 227.5