It only took three quarters, but the Nets broke through the wall against the Cavs in a big way on Wednesday night.

But before we get to the highlights, we have to hit on the lowlights.

The first half for both teams was pretty flat — to say the least. Neither team shot above 35 percent and it was difficult for the Nets to find a rhythm.

Brooklyn was getting good looks, but finishes were hard to come by. Jarrett Allen had some tough misses in the paint and Caris LeVert was a bit rusty throughout the game.

With the team coming off three full days’ rest this early in the season, it seemed as if the pieces were aligned to get a win over a 0-3 Cavaliers squad. But it took some time to get there. 

Two pieces off the bench that helped the Nets were the season debuts of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, after the birth of his son, and Shabazz Napier, after a nursing a hamstring strain. RHJ brought great energy and pace to the game while Napier was a threat from distance.

The Cavaliers made their moves in the second quarter after a few runs gave them a 31-30 lead. Allen Crabbe was struggling from the field and the Nets allowed Cleveland to get momentum.

After a tie game at the half, the tides shifted as Brooklyn started getting stops and getting shots to fall in the third quarter. 

D’Angelo Russell led the way in the third and throughout the night in his best game of the season. His 18 points and eight assists kept the ball moving for Brooklyn, and he applied pressure when needed.

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Joey “Buckets” Harris also came alive, finishing 4-of-5 from three on the night with 16 points. Along with Jared Dudley, who was also 4-of-5 from three, the Nets made their push in a quarter where they outscored the Cavs by 21 points.

From that point on, it was a no-doubter.

The Nets kept the pressure applied in the fourth quarter and maintained a double-digit lead throughout. The Cavs never found a shooting stroke, or became a threat from three, and the Nets continued to distribute the ball and attack the paint. 

The team finished 14-of-34 from three, good for 41.2 percent, compared to the Cavs’ 3-of-18 performance. 

It was good to see this effort from the Nets after an evenly-matched and lackluster start. Yes, it was against the Cavs, but the takeaway is the lead Brooklyn built. 

Would last year’s Nets team have won by 16, or would they have just squeaked by? It was not just a battle of who would miss more, which is a breath of fresh air for this team. 

Either way, after a poor start, holding the Cavaliers to 86 points,  having six players in double digits and seeing players like D’Angelo, Jared Dudley and Ed Davis playing well is as good a way to come off a three-day break as any. 

Kevin love put up 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, but he was out-worked in the paint. 

Also, Richard Jefferson as an in-game analyst is a big win for YES Network. Wins all around tonight. 

Now let’s see if that streak by the 2-2 Nets holds up against the 3-0 Pelicans on Friday.