The Cleveland Cavaliers (34-23) have lost again for the first time since the trade deadline. It defeated the Washington Wizards (34-24) in a 103-110 defeat (BOXSCORE) and was evenly matched for long periods of time before the fourth-quarter visitors were able to set themselves apart.
The trades of the Cavaliers were almost two weeks ago now, but the newly formed team played at home for the first time, so there was a good atmosphere – and the team also got off to a good start. It also helped that the wizards left a lot of open jumpers and were able to switch the cavs quickly. Thus, the Cavs quickly gained a two-digit lead. LeBron James was everywhere at that time and had a hand in 20 of the 31 points.
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At the beginning of the second quarter both coaches cleared the bank completely and only reserve players played, there was a small break. For the cavs, Jordan Clarkson threw light and shadow over the complete opener. But the wizards were able to generate a few stops and with the dreaded small-ball lineup with Kelly Oubre instead of Marcin Gortat drowned some threesomes and so the guests suddenly went on break with 57:54.
After the break, no team was able to break away at first, even though it seemed as if the wizards could score more easily. The Cavs still hit more than half of their throws, but lost too many balls. In the fourth quarter, the hosts did not penetrate enough, and instead numerous threesome sailed onto the ring, while Washington increased the lead in the middle of the section to 8 points (97:89).
James went aggressively back to work, but there were almost no more stops – until 3:38 minutes before the end. Afterwards, the wizards remained without points for over two minutes, while LeBron finished one drive after the other. Only Otto Porter was able to extend the lead to 5 points with 57 seconds on the clock per layup. LeBron once again cut back, but Bradley Beal countered on the other side. But after James missed two free throws in a row, the game was over.
James was with 32 points (13/18 FG), 9 rebounds and 8 assists the best scorer of the Cavs, J. R. steered to it. Smith 15 Counter included. Otherwise, only Tristan Thompson (12.9 rebounds) achieved a double-digit yield. The Wizards, on the other hand, had five players in Double Digits. Beal led his colours with 18 points (8/19 FG) and 9 assists, Tomas Satoransky and Oubre Jr. came to 17.
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Tomas Satoransky. As a replacement for John Wall, the Czech showed a good and unagitated performance and fit in well with a homogeneous wizards team. He never overdrawn, successfully directed 8 Assists and hit his jumpers. Besides, he didn’t even bring the spalding.
George Hill. Satoransky was a very bad matchup for the new Cavs-Guard. The Czech was simply too big for Hill, who could not exert any defensive influence this time. In the attack he didn’t want to miss his jump throw, even if he had some bad luck with in and out. 6 points (2/10 FG) and 3 assists are a little bit less.
The small ball lineup of the wizards could hardly be stopped. With Oubre instead of Gortat the guests started a huge run in the second quarter. It all began with the Defense. This formation can switch almost anything, since Tomas Satonransky also has enough length. So the guests had four players who were able to defend James halfway (which didn’t always succeed). In the attack, however, these five instigated so much unrest that the Cavs Defense constantly collapsed and allowed masses of open threesomes, which Washington then sunk.