The matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards could be a show down of All-Star point guards. The Cavaliers control the Eastern Conference while the Wizards are trying to make a run and much of their future success will come by the play of Kyrie Irving and John Wall as both look to prove they are the best at their positions on Wednesday night.
Irving took a game or two to get back into the groove following a long absence after knee surgery. The point guard missed the start of the year but has since return. He has averaged 13.9 points and 3.4 assists in his first five games from surgery while shooting 33.9 percent. However, he has stepped things up recently, putting up 25 points against the Toronto Raptors in the Cleveland win. It is that type of play that will allow the Cavaliers to fend off any competition looking to grab the top spot in the East.
John Wall is looking to be that type of player as well as he battles Irving in All-Star votes. There is no doubting the star power that Wall has or the importance he has towards the Wizards. The point guard put up a solid December averaging 22.6 points and 11.7 assists during those stretch of games. That earned him East player of the month honors while likely boosting his All-Star votes. Now he is looking to lead the Wizards into their second straight win over the Cavaliers after they beat Cleveland the first time around 97-85.
This will be the tenth meeting between Irving and Wall, the two best point guards in the East along with Kyle Lowery in Toronto. Of the first nine games, Wall has gotten five wins while averaging 20.4 points and 9.1 assists. Irving has put up 21.8 points and 5.4 assists. Right now, the Wizards are not playing as well as the Cavaliers. Consistency has been an issue for the team as they won four straight before losing three of their last four. They are coming off a loss to the Miami Heat while having some time off. For Washington, this game could be decided by who is healthy on the court as Bradley Beal is expected to miss the matchup.
