Meanwhile, Cleveland’s ability to score dictates its streaks. In its most recent run, its defense, statistically, has been worse than usual: 96.2 points per game, compared to its season-long average of 95.2 (11th -best overall). However, it has scored 104.8 points per game, well above its season-long average of 97.9 (13th -best overall). On the other hand, during a seven-game losing streak in January, Cleveland only gave up 95.3 points per game. However, the Cavaliers averaged only 90.

That difference might explain why New Jersey has suffered losses to lousy teams, in that the Nets have sometimes made a habit out of putting less effort (and as coaches tell us, defense is all about effort) against lesser teams.

Speaking of effort, 36 out of the Nets’ 76 games have been decided by 10 or more points, and the Nets are 21-15 in those games — an indication New Jersey is apt to pack it in — or, to be fair, doesn’t have the scoring punch to come back — if it doesn’t jump out to a big lead. (By contrast, in games decided between three and 10 points — as in, games that are competitive but not determined in the final possession, the Nets are much better, 20-10. They’re 6-4 in games decided by three or fewer.)

Cleveland’s lack of consistent scoring punch can be attributed somewhat to playing without the injured Larry Hughes for most of the season, though he recently has returned to the lineup. But Hughes or no, a team that relies more on outscoring than outdefending opponents is going to be in trouble because there are going to be stretches when the shots just don’t fall.

Unlike New Jersey, Cleveland does well in games decided by 10 points or more — it’s 20-9. The Cavaliers’ record in games decided by three points or fewer, 7-4, is close to New Jersey’s. But their record is 19-17 in games decided by between three and 10 points, an indication that its shooting is good enough to keep the Cavaliers in most games, but that in almost the same number of cases it’s not good enough to win them.

So with each team streaking, is New Jersey or Cleveland more likely to go deep into the playoffs?

Given how defense cranks up in the playoffs, New Jersey is the clear favorite among these two. Unlike the fast-breaking teams that reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2002 and 2003, the 2006 Nets set up more often in the half-court, with the same point guard, Jason Kidd, who ran those earlier breakneck attacks. Though only Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins remain from those finals teams, they did not have Vince Carter, averaging more than 24 points a game and carrying the ability to break down a half-court defense by himself.

It helps, too, that New Jersey would likely match up with Miami in the second round, what with the Nets winning the season series 3-1 against the Heat.

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Someday these Cavaliers will go beyond the second round — given the franchise’s long absence from the playoffs, getting beyond the first round is a major sign of progress. LeBron James surely will get his 25-35 points no matter what, but he’ll find in his virgin trip to the playoffs that it can be harder to set up his teammates to score, especially against a savvy and experienced playoff team such as presumed second-round opponent Detroit. (The Cavaliers are 1-2 against the Pistons this season, with an April 16 game at Detroit looming.)

Until the Cavaliers prove they can turn a series of 95-89 games into a winning streak, they’re going to be much more of a threat than New Jersey to turn a decent seeding into an early exit.

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