Cleveland, OH

Ohio high school football scores for Week 4: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025

Published

6 months ago

September 13, 2025

Press Room

Ohio high school football scores for Week 4: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Week 4 high school football scores from around Ohio, as provided by The Associated Press.

Ada 50, Bloomdale Elmwood 20

Akr. Hoban 52, Akr. East 0

Alliance 26, Akr. Ellet 0

Andover Pymatuning Valley 65, Vienna Mathews 35

Anna 14, Coldwater 7

Ansonia 52, Lewisburg Tri-County N. 6

Arcanum 61, Bradford 0

Archbold 36, Delta 30

Arlington 28, Van Buren 10

Ashland 34, New Philadelphia 7

Ashland Crestview 42, New London 0

Ashtabula Edgewood 34, Rocky River Lutheran W. 0

Ashville Teays Valley 37, Lancaster 14

Athens 71, Albany Alexander 0

Attica Seneca E. 62, Bucyrus Wynford 8

Avon 55, N. Ridgeville 7

Avon Lake 39, Grafton Midview 7

Baltimore Liberty Union 41, Hebron Lakewood 7

Barberton 35, Cuyahoga Falls 6

Barnesville 56, Rayland Buckeye 0

Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 54, Tiffin Calvert 0

Batavia Clermont NE 40, Lockland 6

Bay (OH) 26, Parma Normandy 0

Beaver Local 21, E. Liverpool 18

Beavercreek 34, Clayton Northmont 0

Bedford 14, Lyndhurst Brush 13

Bellbrook 41, Day. Chaminade Julienne 0

Bellefontaine 28, Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan 10

Bellevue 19, Norwalk 0

Bellville Clear Fork 14, Ontario 10

Belmont Union Local 28, Cadiz Harrison Cent. 3

Beloit W. Branch 27, Youngs. Chaney High School 6

Berea-Midpark 20, Amherst Steele 19

Beverly Ft. Frye 28, Waterford 0

Bishop Hartley 35, Pataskala Watkins Memorial 7

Bloom-Carroll 16, Amanda-Clearcreek 6

Bluffton 49, Delphos Jefferson 6

Bowling Green 20, Sylvania Northview 14

Brooke, W.Va. 24, Cambridge 14

Brookville 35, Waynesville 7

Caldwell 41, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 0

Caledonia River Valley 21, Marion Pleasant 14

Camden Preble Shawnee 51, New Lebanon Dixie 7

Campbell Memorial 30, Lowellville 15

Canal Fulton Northwest 32, Wooster Triway 29

Canal Winchester 55, Reynoldsburg 30

Canal Winchester Harvest 20, Sandusky Perkins 13

Canfield 35, Poland Seminary 13

Carey 33, Upper Sandusky 7

Carrollton 16, Warren Howland 10

Casstown Miami E. 22, Covington 21

Castalia Margaretta 42, Willard 0

Celina 38, Van Wert 37, OT

Centerburg 44, Galion Northmor 27

Chagrin Falls 31, Independence 9

Chagrin Falls Kenston 21, Akr. Buchtel 18

Chardon 17, Perry 13

Chesterland W. Geauga 42, Conneaut 0

Chillicothe Unioto 49, Chillicothe Huntington 7

Chillicothe Zane Trace 42, Piketon 6

Cin. Anderson 36, Lebanon 10

Cin. Country Day 24, Cin. College Prep. 22

Cin. Deer Park 26, Reading 6

Cin. Elder 16, Cin. La Salle 8

Cin. Hills Christian Academy 56, Norwood 0

Cin. Indian Hill 28, Cin. Wyoming 7

Cin. Madeira 27, Cin. Finneytown 0

Cin. McNicholas 26, St. Bernard Roger Bacon 0

Cin. Moeller 49, CPA, Tenn. 28

Cin. NW 40, Day. Carroll 14

Cin. Princeton 27, W. Chester Lakota W. 10

Cin. Taft 69, Cin. Mt Healthy 0

Cin. Winton Woods 13, Cin. Turpin 6

Circleville 35, Circleville Logan Elm 8

Clarksville Clinton-Massie 49, Blanchester 7

Cle. Adams 34, Cle. E. Tech 0

Cle. Benedictine 28, Chardon NDCL 14

Cle. Cent. Cath. 23, Warrensville Hts. 6

Cle. Hay 48, Cle. JFK 0

Cle. John Marshall 24, Cle. Rhodes 16

Collins Western Reserve 43, Ashland Mapleton 2

Cols. Africentric 34, Cols. Briggs 0

Cols. Bishop Watterson 81, Tiffin Columbian 7

Cols. Franklin Hts. 14, Cols. KIPP 8

Cols. Grandview Hts. 35, Cols. Bexley 0

Cols. Hamilton Twp. 35, Lancaster Fairfield Union 7

Cols. Northland 26, Whitehall-Yearling 7

Cols. St. Charles 27, Bishop Ready 26

Cols. Upper Arlington 42, New Albany 7

Cols. Whetstone 28, Cols. Beechcroft 25

Columbia Station Columbia 35, Wellington 6

Columbiana Crestview 28, Youngs. Liberty 21

Columbus Grove 48, Spencerville 0

Convoy Crestview 55, Ft. Loramie 38

Copley 49, Tallmadge 7

Creston Norwayne 48, West Salem Northwestern 13

Crooksville 39, Byesville Meadowbrook 33

Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 56, Akr. Garfield 0

Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 31, Cle. St Ignatius 0

Dawson-Bryant 60, Chesapeake 14

Day. Christian 39, Middletown Madison 28

Day. Oakwood 34, Eaton 7

DeGraff Riverside 28, Milton-Union 23

Delaware Buckeye Valley 21, Pataskala Licking Hts. 13

Dresden Tri-Valley 41, McConnelsville Morgan 7

E. Palestine 50, Lisbon David Anderson 35

East 81, Cols. Mifflin 0

Eastlake North 31, Cle. Hts. Lutheran E. 0

Edgerton 47, Antwerp 14

Edon 49, Summerfield, Mich. 20

Elmore Woodmore 42, Kansas Lakota 6

Elyria Cath. 17, Vermilion 0

Euclid 38, Lorain 14

Fairborn 42, Greenville 18

Fairfield 34, Cin. Sycamore 9

Findlay 41, Sylvania Southview 14

Fitch 17, Painesville Riverside 14

Frankfort Adena 33, Southeastern 7

Fredericktown 21, Cardington-Lincoln 0

Gahanna Cols. Academy 40, Dover 34

Garrettsville Garfield 41, Leavittsburg LaBrae 6

Gates Mills Hawken 49, Geneva 48

Genoa 36, Tontogany Otsego 21

Germantown Valley View 35, Carlisle 14

Gibsonburg 45, Northwood 8

Girard 48, Struthers 12

Glouster Trimble 40, Wellston 0

Goshen 53, Bethel-Tate 19

Greenfield McClain 54, Lees Creek E. Clinton 0

Grove City Christian 38, Zanesville Rosecrans 0

Groveport-Madison 35, Newark 13

Hamilton Badin 38, Cols. DeSales 21

Hamilton New Miami 31, Fayetteville-Perry 0

Hamler Patrick Henry 49, Bryan 7

Hannibal River 42, Magnolia, W.Va. 0

Hanoverton United 27, Columbiana 7

Harrison 48, Cin. Western Hills 8

Hilliard Bradley 42, Marysville 14

Hilliard Davidson 35, Hilliard Darby 14

Howard E. Knox 27, Loudonville 12

Hubbard 51, Niles McKinley 7

Huber Hts. Wayne 48, Springboro 23

Hudson 35, Solon 3

Huron 56, Morral Ridgedale 7

Independence, W.Va. 35, Vincent Warren 0

Ironton Rock Hill 33, Proctorville Fairland 32

Jackson 49, Mt. Orab Western Brown 14

Jamestown Greeneview 41, Milford Center Fairbanks 7

Jeromesville Hillsdale 53, Doylestown Chippewa 0

John Marshall, W.Va. 34, Bellaire 26

Kettering Fairmont 20, Centerville 17

Kings Mills Kings 31, Cin. West Clermont 0

Kirtland 45, Fairview 21

Lakeside Danbury 44, Holgate 12

Lakewood 43, Westlake 6

Lancaster Fisher Cath. 20, Fairfield Christian 13

Landmark Christian 15, Cin. Clark Montessori 14

Leipsic 12, Pandora-Gilboa 7

Lewis Center Olentangy 43, Grove City Cent. Crossing 6

Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 35, Gahanna Lincoln 21

Lexington 70, Akr. North 0

Liberty Center 64, Swanton 0

Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 31, Hamilton 27

Lima Cent. Cath. 36, Harrod Allen E. 6

Lima Shawnee 31, Lima Bath 21

Lloyd Memorial, Ky. 36, Cin. Aiken 22

Lodi Cloverleaf 42, Akr. Springfield 7

London 44, Lewistown Indian Lake 14

Louisville 45, Alliance Marlington 7

Lucas 62, Vanlue 0

Lucasville Valley 25, Waverly 3

Macedonia Nordonia 23, Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 13

Mansfield Madison 28, Wooster 17

Mantua Crestwood 44, Beachwood 6

Maria Stein Marion Local 61, Delphos St John’s 0

Marion Elgin 30, Mt. Victory Ridgemont 29

Mason 24, Cin. Oak Hills 14

Massillon Jackson 33, Mayfield 6

Massillon Washington 35, Bennett, N.Y. 0

Maumee 27, Millbury Lake 20

McComb 56, Arcadia 0

Mechanicsburg 58, London Madison-Plains 13

Medina 38, Shaker Hts. 3

Medina Buckeye 23, N. Olmsted 0

Medina Highland 41, Aurora 7

Mentor 45, Brunswick 7

Mentor Lake Cath. 31, Gates Mills Gilmour 14

Metamora Evergreen 14, Wauseon 7

Middletown 31, Cin. Colerain 0

Milan Edison 20, Johnstown Northridge 0

Millersburg W. Holmes 45, Mansfield 6

Millersport 33, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 20

Mineral Ridge 27, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 0

Minerva 40, Magnolia Sandy Valley 12

Minford 29, Oak Hill 6

Minster 49, Rockford Parkway 20

Mogadore 28, Malvern 14

Monroe 35, Day. Ponitz Tech. 8

Monroeville 67, Greenwich S. Cent. 0

Morrow Little Miami 33, Cin. Walnut Hills 0

Mt Gilead 26, Danville 22

Mt. Vernon 35, Johnstown 34, OT

N. Baltimore 64, Cory-Rawson 7

N. Can. Hoover 27, Green 21

N. Robinson Col. Crawford 24, Sycamore Mohawk 21

Napoleon 23, Oregon Clay 15

Navarre Fairless 49, Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 7

Nelsonville-York 51, Bidwell River Valley 0

New Bremen 26, Versailles 25

New Concord John Glenn 48, Coshocton 0

New Franklin Manchester 35, Can. South 17

New Lexington 33, Zanesville W. Muskingum 7

New Richmond 53, Cin. Shroder 20

New Washington Buckeye Cent. 34, Bucyrus 13

Newark Licking Valley 41, Heath 7

Norton 56, Ravenna 24

Norwalk St Paul 57, Plymouth 0

Oak Glen, W.Va. 43, Belpre 0

Oak Harbor 49, Fostoria 6

Oberlin Firelands 40, Sheffield Brookside 20

Olmsted Falls 38, Elyria 0

Orange 47, Jefferson Area 28

Orrville 38, Massillon Tuslaw 7

Orwell Grand Valley 68, Windham 8

Oxford Talawanda 35, Franklin 10

Painesville Harvey 61, Ashtabula Lakeside 19

Parma Padua 47, Sandusky 13

Paulding 39, Haviland Wayne Trace 7

Pemberville Eastwood 41, Rossford 0

Peninsula Woodridge 48, Mogadore Field 35

Perrysburg 45, Holland Springfield 13

Philo 43, Warsaw River View 0

Pickerington Cent. 64, Logan 7

Pickerington N. 24, Dublin Coffman 0

Plain City Jonathan Alder 42, Richwood N. Union 23

Port Clinton 65, Cle. Collinwood 0

Powell Olentangy Liberty 10, Delaware Olentangy Berlin 7

Racine Southern 53, Franklin Furnace Green 0

Ravenna SE 53, Newton Falls 28

Richfield Revere 28, Kent Roosevelt 16

Richmond Edison 48, Martins Ferry 20

Rittman 20, Apple Creek Waynedale 14

Rocky River 42, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 14

Rootstown 48, Brooklyn 8

Salem 49, Can. Cent. Cath. 20

Salineville Southern 41, Wellsville 20

Sarahsville Shenandoah 28, Lore City Buckeye Trail 8

Shadyside 13, New Matamoras Frontier 6

Shelby 45, Galion 34

Sherwood Fairview 43, Defiance Ayersville 14

Smithville 35, Dalton 19

Sparta Highland 12, Marion Harding High School 6, OT

Spring. Greenon 34, N. Lewisburg Triad 0

Spring. Kenton Ridge 42, Spring. Shawnee 14

Spring. NE 48, S. Charleston SE 2

Springfield 37, Miamisburg 0

St Clairsville 24, Linsly, W.Va. 14

St Marys 41, Defiance 0

St. Edward (OH) 28, Cle. Glenville 14

St. Henry (OH) 33, Ft. Recovery 13

St. Xavier (OH) 28, Westerville N. 0

Steubenville 27, Youngs. Mooney 24, OT

Strasburg 34, Bowerston Conotton Valley 22

Streetsboro 48, Akr. Coventry 6

Strongsville 29, Cle. Hts. 26

Sugar Grove Berne Union 20, Corning Miller 18

Sugarcreek Garaway 48, Zanesville 14

Sullivan Black River 22, Lorain Clearview 7

Sunbury Big Walnut 45, Hayes 7

Thomas Worthington 42, Grove City 21

Thornville Sheridan 56, Zanesville Maysville 14

Tipp City Tippecanoe 41, Riverside Stebbins 7

Tol. Bowsher 17, Tol. Woodward 0

Tol. Cent. Cath. 28, Birmingham Brother Rice, Mich. 14

Tol. Christian 25, Richmond Hts. 12

Tol. Ottawa Hills 39, Pioneer N. Central 18

Tol. St. Francis 33, Clyde 3

Tol. Whitmer 27, Fremont Ross 6

Toledo St John’s Jesuit 29, River Rouge, Mich. 18

Toronto 26, Newcomerstown 16

Trotwood-Madison 20, Kettering Alter 6

Troy 28, Piqua 7

Twinsburg 45, Stow-Munroe Falls 21

Uhrichsville Claymont 12, Marietta 0

Uniontown Lake 31, Massillon Perry 15

Vandalia Butler 31, Sidney 6

W. Jefferson 62, Cedarville 26

W. Lafayette Ridgewood 31, Utica 0

W. Liberty-Salem 31, Spring. Cath. Cent. 7

Wadsworth 48, N. Royalton 14

Wapakoneta 42, Ottawa-Glandorf 14

Warren Harding 42, STVM 6

Washington C.H. 31, Granville 16

Washington C.H. Miami Trace 34, Batavia 16

Waynesfield-Goshen 37, Dola Hardin Northern 6

Westerville Cent. 24, Dublin Jerome 16

Westerville S. 26, Dublin Scioto 18

Wheelersburg 35, McDermott Scioto NW 0

Whiteford, Mich. 63, W. Unity Hilltop 6

Whitehouse Anthony Wayne 41, Lima 12

Wickliffe 21, Cuyahoga Hts. 7

Williamsburg 26, Hillsboro 7

Willoughby S. 49, Akr. Firestone 7

Willow Wood Symmes Valley 45, South Point 24

Wilmington 21, Hamilton Ross 13

Wintersville Indian Creek 46, Weir, W.Va. 22

Worthington Kilbourne 48, Galloway Westland 38

Xenia 67, W. Carrollton 6

Youngs. Boardman 36, Maple Hts. 20

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Cleveland, OH

Time for the Guardians to Do What They Said They’d Do

Published

7 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Time for the Guardians to Do What They Said They’d Do

With twenty games left in Spring Training, it’s looking like the Guardians are going to be pushed to put their money where their mouths have been when it comes to not blocking young players.

All offseason, President of Baseball Operations, Chris Antonetti, and General Manager, Mike Chernoff, have been clear about the plan to fix the Guardians’ hitting woes of 2025 without spending a dime in major league free agency in the attempt to do so:

“As we looked at a lot of the external the possibility of external additions, one of the questions we continually have to ask ourselves is, ‘whose opportunity does this impede’”? – Chris Antonetti, 1/23/2026.

“We need to get better offensively. …we believe that growth and development can come from the guys we have in the organization.“ – Antonetti, 1/30/2026

“One of our key goals was not to impede players with the most upside (from playing in Cleveland). We saw a glimpse of what Chase DeLauter could do in the playoffs. George Valera and C.J. Kayfus also showed up pretty well at the end of the season.” – Chernoff, 1/30/2026

Right now, projected to be on the Opening Day Guardians’ roster, there are two players who have over 1,000 plate appearances who are blocking younger players with less experience, eager to prove themselves as more valuable major leaguers: Nolan Jones and Gabriel Arias.

I am not writing this post to criticize the Cleveland front office for believing in Jones and Arias and for giving them their fair shot. Two years ago, I believed Arias had shown enough to get his fair chance, and last spring, I agreed with the idea of bringing Jones on board in a weak outfield group to see if he could regain his 2023 form at the plate. However, over the past two seasons Jones has now put up a 71 wRC+ in 700 plate appearances and Arias has put up a 75 wRC+ in 634 plate appearances. Jones will turn 28 years old this season and Arias just turned 26 years old; neither is likely to experience a breakout at this point in their major league careers.

In Arias’s case, replacing him involves putting Brayan Rocchio at shortstop. Rocchio is 10 and half months younger than Arias, has 100+ fewer plate appearances. He also finished 2024 with a league average 100 wRC+, while Arias finished with a 65 wRC+. There is still some slim hope remaining that Rocchio can be a league average bat – hope that no longer exists for Arias. So, the team needs to give Rocchio the reigns at shortstop and let him sink or swim, while also letting star prospect Angel Genao develop at short in Akron and, soon, Columbus. Most importantly, however, moving on from Arias with a designating for assignment, will allow the team to let Juan Brito try his hand as a full-time second baseman while the team allows Travis Bazzana to heat up at Columbus. Both Brito and Bazzana offer FAR more potential as hitters than either Arias or Rocchio and need to be featured in the Guardians’ lineup in 2026 as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Daniel Schneemann offers a perfect utility bat, capable of playing any position except catcher, and not someone who needs to be given regular plate appearances (ahem, PLEASE catch that last part, Manager Stephen Vogt). Additionally, should an injury take place with Rocchio, Milan Tolentino is having an excellent Spring Training, has an exceptional glove at shortstop, and should be capable of providing something similar to Arias’s career 76 wRC+ at the plate if called upon in a pinch. Arias is not needed on this team; while right-handed, he has a career 50 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. He also looked horrendous when asked to play outfield in the past, so he isn’t as good of an option as Schneemann in the super utility role.

As for Jones, bringing him back as an option in centerfield made sense this offseason, but spring training is making clear that keeping him as that depth is not a priority. Both Kahlil Watson and Petey Halpin have looked very good at the plate and in the field in center. It’s one week of Spring Training, so, please, don’t think I am saying either will be good major league players. However, neither has to be good to surpass average (at best!) defense in center and a 71 wRC+ at the plate provided by Jones these past two seasons. With Steven Kwan gamely taking on the challenge of center field, DFA’ing Jones allows the team to get good, solid looks at George Valera and Chase DeLauter, as well as allowing CJ Kayfus to work on his corner outfield skills in Columbus should either of the above players get hurt. If Jones were capable of hitting left-handed pitching, he’d be a roster shoo-in, but give me Stuart Fairchild and his potential for above-average centerfield play and career 106 wRC+ vs. LHP over Jones’s fielding and career 76 wRC+ against southpaws in the fourth outfielder role. Alternatively, Angel Martinez is a fine choice in this role as well, as he has a 121 wRC+ against LHP in his brief time in the bigs – whichever the Guardians prefer is cool with me.

Finally, with the Guardians’ committed to Jones for $2 million for 2026, designating him for assignment makes it likely no team will claim him. Since Jones is short of five years of major league service time, Cleveland can option him to Columbus when he likely clears waivers and mix him into all three outfield positions there, hanging on to him for needed outfield depth. In effect, they will gain an option on a player who has potential to be a league average bat against RHP and a playable fielder in center. That’s worth retaining… but not at the expense of a roster and lineup spot needed to give exciting, young players like Valera and DeLauter a real chance at establishing themselves.

If the Guardians start the season – as I expect they will – with Jones and Arias on the roster, I will be disappointed. I know, I know… it’ll probably just be for the month of April, but April games count just as much as September games. The reps that players like Brito, Bazzana, Valera and DeLauter could get in April can help them work out early struggles to be prepared for summer success. Nothing against Jones and Arias, personally, as both seem like good dudes, but we need to be clear-eyed about what is best for this team. Giving further opportunities to two players who are extremely unlikely to be above-average major league contributors would be a mistake, given the strategy that Cleveland has espoused publicly all offseason.

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Cleveland, OH

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Liberation Center and nearly 100 other organizations rallied in Cleveland Sunday to protest the U.S. strikes on Iran, demonstrating significant grassroots opposition to the military action.

The recent U.S. military strikes on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have ignited passionate discussions across the nation, and Northeast Ohio is no exception.

While state political leaders express support for President Donald Trump’s actions, local activists are raising urgent questions about the impact on American communities.

Dallas Eckman, a public school teacher and volunteer coordinator with the Cleveland Liberation Center, is taking a clear stance against the recent attacks.

“We need to step up as Americans and say violence is not going to be the way we solve out world’s problems,” Eckman said.

The frustration runs deeper for Eckman, who sees a disconnect between military spending and domestic priorities.

“It’s absurd that for me as a public-school teacher I am struggling to get funding for chrome books and books. I can wake up one morning and see we have spent millions and millions of dollars to bomb another country,” he explained.

Eckman questions whether these military actions actually benefit working people in Cleveland.

“Which does nothing for the working people here in Cleveland. It does nothing to make my schools safer. It does nothing to improve the road right outside the liberation center,” Eckman said.

Eckman’s concerns are shared by many in the region.

Despite local opposition, several Ohio’s political leaders are backing the Trump administration’s decision.

Senator Bernie Moreno released a statement expressing his support, stating, “President Trump sought for months to avoid conflict and negotiate with Iran to prevent them from rebuilding their nuclear program. I fully support his decision.”

Secretary of State John Husted also voiced his approval.

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime had ample opportunity to be a productive member of the global community — instead, it chose to export death, terrorism, extremism, and instability against America and our allies,” Husted said.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.