Dribbles: Cavs do just enough to take down Nets in James Harden’s return

Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 106-102 road win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

1. James Harden and Keon Ellis returned. Donovan Mitchell did not. That’s all it took to beat a team that has all eyes on the future.

2. Did the Cavs play great? No. Did they have to? Again, no. They probably knew that.

3. Harden was coming off a two-game absence after suffering a fracture in his right (non-shooting) thumb. He again ran the offense with precision, forcing nothing. He still went for 22 points (on just nine shots), finishing with eight assists and nine rebounds — more than anyone on the Nets.

4. The Nets are young, but man, do they play hard. But young teams don’t finish these games. The Cavs hardly played their best. Still, more often than not, veteran teams close the deal.

5. That was the story here. Harden, Jarrett Allen (20 points), Evan Mobley (17 points, 13 rebounds), Sam Merrill (15 points, 5-of-8 shooting) and Dennis Schroder (12 points) all played like men who’d been here before. And most have.

6. Fans and media like to complain about wins like this, but this isn’t NBA2K. What looks like a mismatch on the screen isn’t always a mismatch on the floor. So it’s OK to have a so-so day here and there. It’s a lot better if you have those days and still win.

7. The Cavs (38-24) were definitely the aggressor, attempting a whopping 35 free throws. They probably deserved a lot more, but the refs didn’t want to blow the whistle on every possession. The Cavs missed eight of those free throws or this may have been a blowout.

8. Without a doubt, having vets such as Harden and Schroder on the court really helps when it comes to closing time (especially Harden). If you are open, Harden will find you and get you the ball. He’s been utterly selfless since arriving.

9. Meanwhile, Ellis will rarely wow you with stats. He scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in 31 minutes. And yet, what a difference he makes defensively. The guy has a broken finger — and still managed to block FIVE shots. Oh, and he’s a guard.

10. Jaylon Tyson (nine points) and Craig Porter Jr. also made their contributions with hustle plays. Game by game, it seems the younger players are a little more content to let the game come to them. Another benefit to having Harden, who has a calming effect on the entire team.

11. Mitchell shouldn’t be out too too long. I bet if the Cavs had any doubts they might lose here, he would’ve played. That may or may not mean a return for Tuesday’s rematch vs. the Pistons at Rocket Arena.

12. And it shouldn’t be downplayed how much the Cavs miss Dean Wade‘s defense and all the other little things he does. Wade appears to be day-to-day with a sprained ankle.

13. After the game against the Pistons, the Cavs get four days off. They should spend it in a sauna. Or bubble wrap, take your pick.

14. I don’t worry too much about injuries at this time of year. If it aches at all, go ahead and just sit out. The Cavs have the depth to survive most of March. What really matters is feeling tip-top (or close to it) a month from now.

15. Michael Porter Jr. scored 26 to lead the Nets (15-45). In no world do I see that poor guy still playing in Brooklyn next year.

16. It wasn’t the Cavs’ best effort. But I’ve been doing this since 2006, and I know that sometimes it’s almost better to win ugly. You need experience doing that, too.

17. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson to reporters: “We didn’t play great and I thought they played really well. … Offense wasn’t great tonight. Wasn’t perfect. But we found a way.”

18. Harden said he has a little discomfort in the thumb and he’s “just figuring out ways to be a factor.” He managed to do just that on Sunday. “Had too many turnovers (five),” he said. “Some of them were just not being able to handle the ball properly, but after (next) game, hopefully get a couple days to relax and let it heal up.”

19. The Cavs outrebounded the Nets, 38-32, and shot 48 percent on threes (13-of-27).

BOX SCORE | Cavs 106, Nets 102