The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the easiest schedules in the league after the All-Star break, but they have a tough stretch to start things off. They play five games in seven nights, and they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons (twice), and the Boston Celtics over the next two-and-a-half weeks. That will be a good test to show how the new-look Cavs stack up with the best teams in the league.

Fortunately for Cleveland, they have an easy one to open things up against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

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The Nets are one of the worst teams in the league, and aren’t actively trying to win games. They should present a good opportunity for the Cavs to get off to a good start.

The Cavs will also be among the healthiest they’ve been all season. Evan Mobley and Dean Wade are expected to play. They’ll only be without Max Strus (foot) and Nae’Qwan Tomlin, who was just added to the injury report with calf soreness.

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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (34-21) vs. Brooklyn Nets (15-38)

Where: Rocket Arena – Cleveland, OH

When: Thur., Feb. 19 at 7 PM

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App, NBA League Pass

Point spread: Cavs -16

Cavs injury report: Max Strus – OUT (foot), Nae’Qwan Tomlin – OUT (calf soreness), Emanuel Miller – OUT (G League), Tristan Enaruna – OUT (G League), Riley Minix – OUT (G League)

Nets injury report: Nic Claxton – OUT (ankle), Tyson Etienne – (G League), Chaney Johnson – OUT (G League), E.J. Lindell – OUT (G League), Josh Minott – OUT (G League), Ben Saraf – OUT (G League)

Cavs expected starting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Nets expected starting lineup: Nolan Traore, Egor Demin, Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, Day’Ron Sharp

Previous matchup: The Cavs defeated the Nets 131-124 on Oct. 24 in a 22-point game from Jarrett Allen.

Here’s a look at both teams’ impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

Offensive Rating

Defensive Rating

Net Rating

Cavs

118 (8th)

114.1 (11th)

+3.9 (8th)

Nets

111.5 (26th)

119.4 (27th)

-7.9 (27th)

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