Nets feel wrath of Cavaliers

NETS interim coach Tony Brown wasn’t wrong predicting the Cavaliers would be “breathing fire” Wednesday at Barclays Center.

It’s just that it didn’t take a big flame to torch the Nets, who fell to ashes before LeBron James and company. Cleveland trampled Brooklyn, 91-78, as the Cavs took out their frustrations from Monday’s humiliating 34-point loss to the Warriors.

“We came out with an aggressive mindset the first quarter, and it helped us build a lead,” said James, who had three breakaway dunks in the first quarter for the Cavs (29-11).

James had 17 points on the night despite sitting for the whole fourth quarter. Kevin Love also rested for most of the second half after putting up 17 points and 18 rebounds in 31 minutes.

“There was really only one way you could go from that last game,” Love said of the loss to the Warriors. The Nets (11-32) shot just 41.7% and were 4-for-19 from threepoint range. Depleted by injuries and unsettled by coaching changes, they were no match for the best team in the Eastern Conference. The game was officially a sellout, but a lot of seats were empty — attributable to Brooklyn having lost 11 of its last 12 games at home.

Brook Lopez led Brooklyn with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

“The ball stuck a lot. I’m definitely the culprit of that,” Lopez said. “We had trouble initiating our offense and when we did, we were doing it from pretty far outside the three-point line, which made it very difficult for us.”

Thaddeus Young, who had 14 points and five rebounds, said Love’s versatility and his cooperation with James made for a deadly combination.

“LeBron grinds the ball in his hands a lot and is very effective in the pick and rolls,” said Young. “When you’re helping off and he’s throwing the ball back to K. Love for threes, it’s hard to guard that type of stuff."

Joe Johnson, working hard to contain James, was 1-for-7, hitting just a single three-pointer. Brown noted afterwards that Johnson was open a few times on the perimeter and wasn’t seen by the point guards.

“I think that some of the stuff that we were trying to run to get Joe touches, we were sloppy getting into them, so it made it that much more difficult for him to get the catch so he can be involved in actions,” said Brown, who took over Jan. 10 after Lionel Hollins was fired. “I think LeBron was into him, but I don’t think it was to the point where I think he couldn’t touch the ball.”

The Nets, who have now lost four in a row, and are ahead of only the 76ers in the Eastern Conference. On Friday they host to the Utah Jazz.