The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a two-game losing streak and have experienced defeats in three out of their last five matchups.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a two-game losing streak and have experienced defeats in three out of their last five matchups as they gear up to welcome the Washington Wizards for back-to-back games starting this Wednesday.
Despite the absence of key starters Evan Mobley (recovering from left knee surgery) and Darius Garland (dealing with a jaw fracture) until February, Cleveland has been compelled to make adjustments to their lineups. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers maintain a sense of confidence, believing that their resilience will enable them to navigate these challenges and keep their performance at a high level.
Eager to bounce back from their recent 124-121 defeat on the road against the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland faced an uphill battle after conceding 41 points in the first quarter. Despite a spirited rally, the Cavaliers fell short in their comeback attempt. Cleveland perceives a controversial inbounds pass as a pivotal moment, granting Toronto the opportunity to convert one of two free throws with just 1.3 seconds remaining, ultimately influencing the final margin.
For the Cavaliers, Garland (broken jawbone), Jerome (ankle injury), Mobley (knee injury), and Rubio (personal reasons) will not be playing the game. As for the Wizards, Gallinari will be sitting this one out due to a back injury.
Washington arrives in Cleveland without having secured back-to-back victories throughout the entire season, having suffered losses in four of their last five games. In a close Sunday contest, the Wizards nearly overcame the challenge of four opposing players achieving double-doubles, ultimately falling short with a 130-126 loss to the visiting Atlanta Hawks. This came on the heels of a notable 110-104 triumph against the Brooklyn Nets in their preceding matchup.
Kyle Kuzma showcased his sharpshooting skills against Atlanta by sinking seven three-pointers, with four of them finding the mark in an impressive first quarter display. This scoring burst played a pivotal role in the Wizards establishing an early 17-4 lead and propelled Kuzma to finish the game with a team-leading 38 points.
Kuzma contributed five assists, joining a trio of Wizards players who also tallied at least that many. A total of seven Wizards achieved double-digit scoring, and Deni Avdija secured his second consecutive double-double with an impressive performance of 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Wednesday signals the commencement of a four-part series between the Cavaliers and Wizards, with another matchup scheduled in Cleveland on Friday.
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