Wizards vs. Cavaliers Preview: Washington Faces Cleveland on Friday
The Washington Wizards will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Fans can watch the matchup on Monumental Sports Network or through NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
- Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly (out, lower left leg tightness)
- Cavaliers: Lonzo Ball (out, knee), De’Andre Hunter (probable, illness), Max Strus (out, foot), Dean Wade (out, eye)
Team Form and Key Stats
Washington enters the contest on a six-game losing streak, with each of their last four defeats coming by margins of 17 points or more. The team has conceded at least 119 points in all seven of their losses, including a heavy defeat on Wednesday when the Celtics, averaging 110.5 points per game, scored 136.
One of the bright spots for the Wizards has been second-year forward Alex Sarr, who tallied 31 points and shot 4-for-5 from beyond the arc against Boston.
Cleveland Momentum
The Cavaliers carry a 5–3 record after wins over the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers. Donovan Mitchell powered Cleveland’s offense with 46 points in their latest victory and leads the team with an average of 31.9 points per game.
Cleveland has had Washington’s number in recent years, winning 12 straight matchups between the two teams since 2022.
“Donovan Mitchell continues to carry the Cavs’ offense, maintaining one of the league’s top scoring averages.”
Summary
Washington seeks to halt its skid, while Cleveland aims to extend its dominance behind the hot hand of Donovan Mitchell.
Author’s Summary: A struggling Wizards squad hosts a confident Cleveland team led by Donovan Mitchell, aiming to stretch its winning streak to 13 games against Washington.