The Cleveland Cavaliers are frustrated as the team expected to be sitting a little higher than .500 at this point in the season. But defensive struggles and offensive inconsistencies have plagued the team as they come off a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Things are not getting any easier for the Cavaliers as they prepare to face one of the teams expected to be in the mix come playoff time, the Washington Wizards.
Things were looking up for the Cavaliers. They went on a four-game win streak, but then followed that up with back-to-back losses to the Denver Nuggets and then the Spurs. James was not the highlight in the Spurs game as he managed just 15 points with five turnovers. Anderson Varejao and Kyrie Irving carried the team with 23 and 20 points respectively. The Cavaliers did manage 23 assists. Normally, the Cavaliers averaged 26.0 assists in a win compared to 17.4 in a loss.
They are trying to get back on track as they prepare to face an Eastern Conference playoff contender. Last season the Wizards suffered an early exit in the postseason something they are aiming to change this year. During James' 2006-08 stint with the Cavaliers, they knocked the Wizards out of the postseason for three straight seasons, now they are at risk of losing in the regular season.
The Wizards engaged in the preseason trash talking targeted at the Heat. Bradley Beal and John Wall claimed they made up the best backcourt in the NBA and not Irving and Dion Waiters. They will get the chance to test that on Friday. The Cavaliers have solid history against the Wizards. They have won four straight in Washington. Irving is averaging 30.0 points against Washington.
The Wizards have suffered just one loss at home this season. They were undefeated until falling to the Dallas Mavericks. Wall struggled heavily, putting up just 11 points in the game. The point guard is averaging 21.0 points and 10.3 assists in an eight-game stretch verse Cleveland.
