Highlighting key players to watch as Cleveland visits Brooklyn on Thursday night.

2025 NBA All-Star Evan Mobley looks to lead the Cavaliers against the Nets on Thursday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) continue their quest at earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference when they take on the Brooklyn Nets (20-34) on Thursday night (7:30 ET, League Pass).

Both teams went into the All-Star break riding win streaks, with Cavs securing four straight victories and Nets with three.

Here are five things to know before tip-off: 

De’Andre Hunter fitting in nicely: Hunter has made two appearances for his new squad after being traded from Atlanta.

The sixth-year wing earned a starter spot in his debut for Cleveland against Minnesota on Feb. 10, finishing with 12 points, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, in 23 minutes.

He came off the bench in a win over Toronto on Feb. 12, scoring 18 points with five rebounds in 27 minutes.

Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, Hunter looks poised for a big role for a Cavs team with championship aspirations.

Max Strus heating up: Strus has stepped up his play recently, and it seems as though the starting small forward spot is his to lose.

He sat out the game against Minnesota, giving Hunter the chance to start in his first game with Cleveland, but returned to the first unit against Toronto.

Over his last two games, the sixth-year undrafted pro exploded for 15.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists while knocking down 47.4% of his 9.5 3-point attempts a night.

Jaylon Tyson’s increased role: Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2024, Tyson has seen his minutes and role increase as the season has gone on.

In the three games leading up to the break, the rookie played 17.2 minutes while putting up 6.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 77.8% from the field and knocking down all three of his attempts from 3-point territory.

Brooklyn relying on tough defense: The Nets have played some of their best basketball of the 2024-25 season in recent weeks, especially on the defensive end.

They are currently on a three-game win streak and are 6-1 in their last seven games. Brooklyn’s defensive rating of 103.4 leads the league by more than three full points over that stretch, and they are limiting opposing teams to just 95.4 points, also tops in the NBA.

Cameron Johnson back and healthy: After missing 13 combined games over one month due to an ankle injury, Johnson played and started the last four contests for Brooklyn leading up to the break.

In those four outings, the sixth-year forward went for 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists with shooting splits of 45.8 FG%/34.6 3PM%/85.7 FT% in 28.0 minutes.

However, in two losses against the Cavs this season, Johnson has popped for 22.5 points while shooting 56.5% from the field and 53.8% from long-range in 29.5 minutes.