Durant, Brooklyn set for matchup with Cleveland

Brooklyn Nets (27-15, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (26-18, sixth in the Eastern Conference)

Cleveland; Monday, 3 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Kevin Durant leads Brooklyn into a matchup against Cleveland. He leads the the NBA scoring 29.3 points per game.

The Cavaliers are 14-9 in conference games. Cleveland ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 25.5 assists per game led by Darius Garland averaging 7.8.

The Nets are 19-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 45.5 rebounds per game led by James Harden averaging 8.0.

The two teams matchup for the third time this season. The Nets defeated the Cavaliers 117-112 in their last matchup on Nov. 23. Durant led the Nets with 27 points, and Garland led the Cavaliers with 24 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jarrett Allen is averaging 16.6 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Kevin Love is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Cleveland.

Durant is averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists for the Nets. Patty Mills is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Brooklyn.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 6-4, averaging 106.2 points, 45.3 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 5.4 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.2 points per game.

Nets: 4-6, averaging 115.6 points, 46.1 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 8.4 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.0 points.

INJURIES: Cavaliers: Collin Sexton: out for season (knee), Rajon Rondo: out (hamstring), Ricky Rubio: out for season (knee).

Nets: Kyrie Irving: out (ineligble to play), James Johnson: out (illness), Joe Harris: out (ankle), LaMarcus Aldridge: out (foot), Kevin Durant: day to day (knee), Nicolas Claxton: out (hamstring).

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