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Cavs score vs. Washington Wizards | Recap of Cleveland's win to improve NBA's best record
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- Cavs score vs. Washington Wizards | Recap of Cleveland's win to improve NBA's best record
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers are still holding onto the league's best record at 22-4 after beating the Washington Wizards Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Celtics entered the night 20-5, one game behind Cleveland.
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The Cavaliers were still without small forward Max Strus , who has yet to make his season debut. The Cavs don't have an exact date for his return, but it's expected to be within the next few games.
Here's how Friday night's game unfolded.
Cavaliers beat the Wizards
The Cavs have taken care of the Wizards with a 115-105 win. It was more of a hassle than expected, but the Cavs improved to 22-4 this season.
Darius Garland (22 points), Jarrett Allen (21) and Donovan Mitchell (20) all had 20-point nights. Caris LeVert finished with 14 points. Isaac Okoro had 13 and hit three of his four 3-point attempts.
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Caris LeVert crossover opens up 10-point lead; Cavs vs. Wizards score
The Cavs just broke through a bit.
Caris LeVert pulled off a nice crossover to create some space, and it led to a wide-open Darius Garland 3 from the corner that has given the Cavs a commanding 104-94 lead with 3:56 left.
Garland now has 22 points tonight. Mitchell has 20.
It's unclear what is being said, but several Cavs players — Garland, Isaac Okoro and a few others — have hit 3s right by the Wizards bench and immediately looked back and/or gestured to them.
Dec 13, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavaliers build double-digit lead before Wizards battle back
The Cavs briefly built an 11-point lead and looked to be cruising, but a few careless mistakes have opened the door, and the Wizards have closed the deficit to 99-94 with five minutes left.
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The Cavs have only nine turnovers tonight compared to the Wizards' 15, but they're on a recent run that has gotten them a bit out of sync.
Cavaliers use second-chance points to carry lead over Wizards into fourth quarter
The Cavs will take an 87-80 lead into the fourth quarter. They've grabbed 12 offensive rebounds to the Wizards' three, and Cleveland has been able to turn those chances into 13 second-chance points to the Wizards' six, which is exactly the difference right now.
Dec 13, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Washington Wizards guard Johnny Davis (1) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs, Wizards score: Jordan Poole , Darius Garland each with 17 points
The Cavaliers are allowing the Wizards to hang around in this one.
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Jordan Poole is now tied with Darius Garland with a game-high 17 points.
It feels like one of those games where the much better team continues to do just enough to keep their opponent at bay, like an older brother stiff-arming his younger sibling.
Dec 13, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks to fan during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Who's winning the Cavaliers-Wizards game?
The Cavs will take a 57-54 lead into halftime. Washington finished the second quarter on a 10-2 run to turn an 11-point deficit into a one-possession game.
Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell both have 14 points tonight. Garland also has five assists and four rebounds. Jarrett Allen has been a bit more involved in the offense with 10 points and six rebounds.
Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly drives to the basket against Cavaliers forward Dean Wade during the first quarter, Dec. 13, 2024, in Cleveland.
Sam Merrill , Darius Garland, Cavs 3-point shooting gives Cleveland the lead over Wizards
The Cavs have pulled ahead, and their 3-point shooting has been the difference so far.
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With 4:18 left in the second quarter, the Cavs are holding a 49-40 lead. The Cavs have hit 5 of 11 3-point attempts this quarter, while the Wizards have made only one of their seven 3-point tries. Sam Merrill has a couple of 3s, Donovan Mitchell has 13 points and Darius Garland, who just hit another 3, is now up to a team-high 14 points.
Dec 13, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavaliers, Wizards score update: Donovan Mitchell, Alex Sarr leading the scoring
The Cavs and Wizards are tied 25-25 after the first quarter. Cleveland was expected to win this game by nearly 20 point, so they're playing with their food a bit, but the score remains tied.
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Donovan Mitchell has a game-high 10 points. Caris LeVert has been getting to the line almost at will and has seven points while being 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.
For the Wizards, rookie Alex Sarr and Jordan Poole both have seven points.
Dec 13, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) makes a three point basket during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs-Wizards score: Washington takes early lead over Cleveland
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson discussed how, over the course of an 82-game season, teams are bound to go through stretches where they have to keep their intensity. It's human nature to let that lapse for a moment. This might be one of those nights, with the Cavs playing arguably the worst team in the NBA and on a night in which they don't have Evan Mobley . It's just a matchup where they might not be able to learn as much, apart from not letting a winnable game slip away.
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Early on, the Wizards have an 11-10 lead. Alex Sarr already has five points. Donovan Mitchell is 2-for-4 for five points.
Below is some pregame information.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
What is the injury report for the Cavaliers-Wizards game?
The Cavs will be without forward Evan Mobley, who is dealing with a left ankle sprain. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said before the game that Mobley would see how the ankle is doing, but either way when it comes to Friday night's game, the Cavs don't see it as a long-term issue. Plus, it likely doesn't make sense to push Mobley for a very winnable game.
Small forward Isaac Okoro is available.
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How can I watch, listen, stream Cavs vs. Celtics game?
Friday's game can be watched locally on the FanDuel Sports Network . It can be heard on the radio via WMMS (100.7-FM) and WTAM (1100-AM).
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavaliers score update vs. Washington Wizards
