The Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers will do battle for the second straight game in Cleveland this week. The Cavs won the first game on Wednesday night in a one-sided affair. The Wizards are now just 6-27 on the season while the Cavaliers check in at 19-15 as they battle through injuries to two key starters.

Seemingly Everyone Beats the Wiz

The Washington Wizards will try, try again on Friday night after being run over by the Cavaliers on Wednesday night, 140-101. The Wizards have just six wins overall on the season including a 3-15 record on the road heading into Friday night’s game. The Wizards’ defense let them down once again on Wednesday night allowing 140 points which pushes their league-worst points allowed per game average to nearly 127 per game. Kyle Kuzma led the way with 16 points for the Wizards while Daniel Gafford, Mike Muscala, and Corey Kispert each chipped in with 12 points in defeat.
“They got it done on all levels; on the glass, in the paint, they made 20 3s,” Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. said. “I didn’t think we brought the requisite amount of physicality. Rebounding is a mindset and that’s got to be a priority for us.”

It has been a dismal season thus far for the rebuilding Wizards. As noted, the Wizards are last in the NBA in points allowed this season. They are 29th in opponent’s field goal percentage and 20th in 3-point defense. Offensively, the Wizards are 11th in points per game. They are eighth in field goal percentage and 22nd in 3-point shooting. The Wizards are also last in total rebounding on the season and 17th in turnovers per game.

Key Injuries: No Injuries to Report.

Wounded but Winning

On Wednesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers handed the Wizards a 140-101 trouncing to improve to 6-3 since losing starters Darius Garland and Eric Mobley to at least February due to injury. Cleveland dominated the glass, holding a 62-36 edge while also shooting nearly 54% from the floor including 20-of-42 from 3-point range. Max Strus led the Cavs with 24 points, including six three-point field goals. Donovan Mitchell added 22 points in just 24 minutes of work and center Jarred Allen had 17 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists in the win.
“This is the style of basketball we wanted to play when everyone was healthy, and we’re finding that rhythm now,” Allen said. “The offense runs through me a lot, and teams have to respect my ability to pass and drop off when I have the ball.”

The Cavs have survived the absences of Garland and Mobley thus far and remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff standings. They come into this rematch with the Cavs ranked 24th in scoring offense this season. They are 15th in field goal percentage and 26th in 3-point shooting. The Cavs have been above-average on the defensive end, ranking 11th in opponent’s points per game this season. They are also ranked 11th in both defensive field goal percentage and 3-point defense. On the glass, the Cavs are ranked 18th in total rebounds per game. They are 19th in turnovers per game as well.

Key Injuries: Mobley and Garland are out.