Wizards at Cavaliers
The Washington Wizards have climbed back into the playoff chase after a brutal 2-9 start and look to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games when they visit the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Shooting guard Bradley Beal is leading the way while averaging 28.3 points over the past three contests, including a season-best 36 in Wednesday’s 131-117 win at Atlanta.
“We have to play fast, and that was easier because we got stops defensively,” Beal told reporters Wednesday. “We were able to get out in transition and get some easy ones. We just continued to move the ball and share it.” Beal could have backcourt mate John Wall back in the lineup Saturday as the All-Star missed the victory over the Hawks due to personal reasons, but Washington forward Jeff Green will likely miss his second straight game and third in four contests with a back injury. The Cavaliers shot 53.1 percent from the field Friday and were tied at halftime with Sacramento, but lost for the sixth time in seven games as the Kings pulled away in the second half for a 129-110 victory. Guard Jordan Clarkson led the way for Cleveland with 26 points in the loss and is averaging 20.3 over the last six games while rookie guard Collin Sexton added 23 after scoring 21 in Wednesday’s setback against Golden State.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington Plus, FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (11-14): Beal has been getting plenty of help during the winning streak as Kelly Oubre Jr. averaged 20 points and Otto Porter Jr. 17.5 over the last two games while Markieff Morris contributed 16.7 per contest in the last three. Center Thomas Bryant also registered career highs of 16 points, nine rebounds and 21 minutes of playing time in Wednesday’s victory at Atlanta. Washington acquired swingman Sam Dekker from Cleveland in a three-way deal Friday and sent center Jason Smith along with a future second-round pick to Milwaukee.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (5-20): Alec Burks, who was acquired from Utah late last month in the Kyle Korver deal, has made an impact while averaging 14.4 points in five games with Cleveland after matching a season high with 22 on Wednesday. The Cavaliers continued to wheel and deal Friday as Dekker and guard George Hill were shipped out while former Cleveland guard Matthew Dellavedova and center John Henson, along with two draft picks, were brought in from Milwaukee. Henson missed the last eight games with a wrist injury and Dellavedova is averaging just 1.7 points in 12 games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cleveland G Rodney Hood left Friday’s game in the second half with a foot injury and his status is uncertain for Saturday.
2. Washington must continue to improve defensively as it is allowing 116.7 points per game - 29th in the league entering Friday.
3. The Wizards won the first meeting this season 119-95 on Nov. 14 after dropping three of four to the Cavaliers last season.