Nets vs. Cavaliers injury report, odds, spread: Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince will play; Collin Sexton, Darius Garland could return

Brooklyn All-Star guard Kyrie Irving has been cleared from the NBA's health and safety protocols and should make his debut/return alongside fellow superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden on Wednesday when the Nets visit one or Irving's former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Former Nets center Jarrett Allen is expected to make his Cavs debut, and their two starting guards, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, may both return from multiple-game injury absences as they are listed as questionable. Brooklyn is a 10-point favorite on the William Hill Sportsbook NBA odds.

Irving nearly returned Monday for the Nets from his personal leave/protocols but was eventually scratched. Irving rejoined the team officially Tuesday and said he "just needed a pause." Irving added that he "had a lot of family and personal stuff going on. So, just want to leave it at that."

The last game Irving played in for Brooklyn was Jan. 5. The infamous riot at the U.S. Capitol happened on Jan. 6 and Irving essentially hinted that played a role in his stepping away. He is averaging 27.1 points this season, while Durant is at 30.6 ppg and Harden at 26.4 ppg including his games with Houston. In two games with the Nets, Harden is averaging 33.0 points and Brooklyn has beaten Orlando and Milwaukee.

It's fair to say that Durant, Harden and Irving are the most offensively potent trio of teammates in NBA history. The Nets will be must-see TV going forward, but sadly Wednesday's game isn't nationally televised. Of course, Irving won a championship with LeBron James in Cleveland in 2016 but then forced a trade to Boston in August 2017.

The future first-round pick the Cavs got in that deal became Sexton, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Alabama. He leads the team in scoring at 25.1 ppg but hasn't played since Jan. 6 due to an ankle injury. Garland, the No. 5 overall pick in 2019, is averaging 17.2 points but hasn't taken the court since Jan. 2 due to a shoulder issue. They both did practice in full Monday so it's trending well for them.

As part of the four-team Harden trade, the Cavaliers landed Allen and Prince from the Nets and both should debut Wednesday as they both practiced Monday after passing physicals, etc. That the Cavs even wanted Allen was interesting because they already have a high-priced center in Andre Drummond, although he's due for free agency. Drummond brings in a streak of 12 straight double-doubles.

Reports out of Cleveland are that the team will offer a long-term deal to Allen as the 22-year-old fits perfectly with the timetable of the rest of the Cavs' young core. He was averaging 11.2 points and 10.4 rebounds with the Nets. Prince played about 18 minutes a night mostly off the bench for Brooklyn and likely will have a similar role with the Cavs.

Cleveland hasn't played since a 106-103 home win over the Knicks on Friday due to back-to-back games at Washington being postponed on Sunday and Monday. Brooklyn has won three straight in the series and covered the spread in eight of the previous 11. 

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