Less than a week after getting ripped by the Wizards in our nation’s capital, the Cavaliers have a shot at redemption. Cleveland played that game without LeBron James, but the King should be ready to deliver as the Cavs look for some payback.
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LOOK AHEAD
The Wizards have been one of the hottest teams out of the All-Star break, knocking off Minnesota Wednesday for their fourth straight win and seventh in nine games since play resumed. While the wins are critical, Washington hasn’t exactly beaten top-tier talent or healthy teams since the break. The Wiz have the fewest wins over teams with .500 or better records among the five teams vying for a playoff spot in the East, earning 59 percent of their wins against below-average clubs. Washington pulled even at 30-30 with Wednesday’s victory, but wins can be deceiving. The road to the playoffs is a grueling one for the Wizards and it’s uncertain whether they can maintain this winning percentage against elite – and healthy – teams.
Playing like a team seeking to make amends for a poor showing the previous day and desperately seeking a victory, regardless, the Cavaliers ended a two-game slide by slipping past Indiana 100-96 on Sunday. It helped, of course, to have LeBron James on the court. On Sunday in D.C., LeBron was rested and didn’t play. The Cavs were lethargic without their leader, and the Wizards rolled. Playing like a rested superstar, the King was on his game in the first of a four-game homestand. Cleveland would like to put a little more distance than the two games currently separating them from Toronto in the East, and the current home stay offers a good opportunity. The Cavs are 25-5 at The Q this season.
INJURIES
Wizards reserve guard Gary Neal didn’t make the trip as he continues to deal with a sore right leg. There is no time frame on a return date.
Cleveland is getting healthier with the return of Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova. While Delly was sidelined, Mo Williams served as the backup point guard, however, Williams is now shelved due to a left knee injury.
KEY MATCHUP
John Wall, as point guards tend to do against Cleveland, feasted in Washington’s 113-99 win over the Cavs on Sunday. Wall scored 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting and had 13 assists with seven rebounds. He posted a +23 and could have seemingly scored 50 if the game was competitive. In their past three losses, the Cavs watched opposing point guards Reggie Jackson of Detroit, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and Wall combine for 87 points on a ridiculous 32 of 48 from the field. Most of the baskets came in the paint. The three also combined for 26 assists and a +45. It’s not surprising Wall burned the Cavs. The supremely talented and versatile guard had one of his best stat lines against Cleveland on Dec. 1, going for 35 points and 10 assists in another Washington victory. The Cavs simply had no answer for his speed and quickness in either contest. He out-ran them in transition and darted past them in halfcourt sets.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Wizards revived their playoff hopes with a nice little run after the break, winning seven of nine, including a 113-99 victory over the Cavaliers on Sunday. However, Cleveland played that game without LeBron and suffered an embarrassing defeat that was actually worse than the final margin. Cleveland outscored Washington by 12 in the garbage time fourth quarter to close the final gap to 14 points. A listless effort prompted J.R. Smith to rip the team, including himself, in postgame comments. It’s rare that a team gets a chance to redeem one of its poorest games, but the Cavs have a chance for payback less than a week after their poor showing. They’ll also have James in the lineup, which should mean something.
Cleveland 109, Washington 99
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