Recap: Shorthanded Wizards fall to Cavaliers 114-91 Monday in DC

The Wizards hosted a proficient Cavaliers crew at Capital One Enviornment on Monday night time. With Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma sidelined with accidents, the Wizards could not hold tempo with the Cavs’ dynamic offense. Last rating: 114-91.

The Cavs entered Monday night time’s contest as the very best defensive crew within the NBA, permitting a league-low 106.8 factors per recreation. For context, the lowest-scoring crew within the NBA (Miami), averages 108.5 factors per recreation. Meaning the Cavs constantly maintain their opponents to a decrease level whole than the lowest-scoring crew drops per recreation.

With no Beal or Kuzma — the Wizards’ two greatest offensive creators — the door was opened for the Cavs’ protection to claim its dominance. Led by inside stalwarts Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the defensive prowess was on full show in Washington, and when the Wizards have been capable of crack the protection and generate open appears, they struggled to knock them down effectively, capturing a tough 1-of-14 from deep within the first half.

“We missed a variety of photographs that I actually thought have been attractiveness,” mentioned Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. “We gotta ink ourselves on the defensive facet. Dig in much more in these moments the place we’re simply not getting in a rhythm on offense.”

On the opposite facet of the ground, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland have been controlling the tempo of the sport, whereas Mobley and Allen completed practically all the things across the basket. On the finish of the primary quarter, the Cavs up have been up 37-25, and so they by no means appeared again. The lead would keep in double digits for the rest of the sport.

“These guys got here to play instantly,” mentioned Kristaps Porzingis. “They have been the primary ones to punch us.”

All 5 of the Cavs’ starters have been in double digits by halftime. When the ultimate horn sounded, Allen and Garland every had 23 factors on a mixed 19-of-28 capturing from the sector. Mitchell and Mobley have been proper behind them with 21 and 16, respectively.

For Washington, Porzingis led the way in which, dropping 18 factors on 7-of-13 capturing from the sector to associate with seven boards, one help, and one block in 26 minutes of motion. Will Barton additionally supplied a pleasant spark, scoring 15 factors on 6-of-12 capturing whereas additionally grabbing six boards.

The Wizards will likely be again in motion Wednesday night when the Hornets come to the DMV.