The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost their past two games and three of five as they prepare to host the Washington Wizards for two straight games beginning Wednesday.
While being without starters Evan Mobley (left knee surgery) and Darius Garland (jaw fracture) until February has forced Cleveland to shift its lineups, the Cavs remain confident their perseverance can help them stay afloat.
Cleveland is looking to rebound from Monday’s 124-121 road loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Cavaliers rallied after allowing 41 points in the first quarter but were unable to climb all the way back. A controversial inbounds pass, in Cleveland’s view, allowed Toronto to split a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds to go to account for the final margin.
Caris LeVert (31 points) and Donovan Mitchell (26) paced five Cavaliers in double figures. Cleveland outscored Toronto in each of the final three quarters.
Washington hasn’t won consecutive games all season and comes to Cleveland having lost four of its past five.
The Wizards on Sunday nearly overcame allowing four opposing players to notch double-doubles but lost 130-126 to the visiting Atlanta Hawks. Washington topped Brooklyn 110-104 in its previous game.
Kyle Kuzma drilled seven treys against Atlanta, connecting on four during the first quarter alone. The spurt helped the Wizards take an early 17-4 lead while setting Kuzma on his way to scoring a team-high 38 points.
Kuzma added five assists, one of three Wizards with at least that many. Seven Wizards scored in double figures, while Deni Avdija (17 points, 12 rebounds) logged his second straight double-double.
Wednesday marks the first of four meetings between the Cavaliers and Wizards, who also are set to play in Cleveland on Friday.
Cleveland took all three games from Washington a season ago, winning by at least 10 points each time, and enters with a four-game series winning streak.
