Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards: game preview and how to watch

In a season clouded by injury and inconsistency (not to mention a global pandemic), how does a team with the 5th-overall worst record find inspiration and motivation?

The Cleveland Cavaliers (21-41) are back at home tonight for their second match-up this week against the Washington Wizards (28-34). With just 10 games left in the season, the Cavs will look to find motivation by focusing on what they can control — growth and maturity. Regardless of their record, the Cavs are a team that just doesn’t quit. So while they are expected to lose a lot down the final stretch, it won’t be because they tried to...it’ll be because they simply cannot compete.

How to watch:

Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. — tune in on Bally Sports Ohio or NBA League Pass.

Starting Lineups:

Cavaliers: Darius Garland / Cedi Osman / Isaac Okoro / Kevin Love / Jarrett Allen

Wizards: Russell Westbrook / Bradley Beal / Raul Neto / Rui Hachimura / Alex Len

Things to look for:

The Cavs will play to win, but probably lose. With Collin Sexton listed as questionable tonight along with the additional six players who remain out with injuries, the Cavs just don’t have enough firepower to compete. Cleveland nearly turned things around in the fourth quarter in Wednesday’s loss against the Orlando Magic (uhmmmmm full-court press much), but it came at a cost. Garland put in 39 minutes. Allen and Okoro each played 37. This is simply not sustainable.

Mr. Triple Dub. Is the pope Catholic? Is Russell Westbrook a walking triple-double? Is rain wet? This Wednesday, Westbrook recorded his 13th triple-double during the month of April — the most by a player in any calendar month in NBA history. Last Sunday, however, the rook Isaac Okoro put the clamps on ‘em, and Mr. Triple Double had to settle for a substandard 14 points and 11 dimes. After a solid performance against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday — snatching 4 steals — you can be sure Okoro is motivated for tonight’s matchup. Would love to hear a reporter ask Russ his thoughts on playing against Okoro after tonight’s run.

Welcome to FROland. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to FROland where we feast on floaters, thread needles and sew dunks. Among the unnecessary drama and poor performances this week, here lies the most encouraging development of the season — the vibes in FROland. On Wednesday, Garland and Allen each registered a double-double and shot a combined 47%. Just last Sunday, Allen scored a career-high 27 points in the matchup against Washington. Here’s hoping Darius Garland’s next 10 games are as encouraging as his last 10 (22.2 points per game, 7.9 assists, 1.7 steals, 46.6% shooting from the field) and he and Allen can continue building chemistry in the final games that remain.