The Washington Wizards (6-26) are set to play two straight games in Cleveland against the Cavaliers (18-15). Here's everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday's game.
For a look at a collaboration between myself and cavs.com writer Matthew Gold, check out this article.
WHERE: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland, OH)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: Monumental Sports Network
RADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App
INJURY REPORT:
WIZARDS:
Danilo Gallinari (lower back spasm -- questionable)
CAVALIERS:
Darius Garland (jaw; fracture -- out)
Ty Jerome (right ankle sprain -- out)
Evan Mobley (left knee surgery -- out)
CONTAINING DONOVAN MITCHELL
When healthy, the Cavaliers are spearheaded by one of the toughest backcourts in the league in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Garland is a pass-first point guard with limitless range and Mitchell is a shape-shifting two guard who can score from anywhere on the court. With Garland sidelined due to injury on Wednesday, it puts an extra focus on Mitchell.
In 24 games this season, Mitchell is averaging nearly 28 points on 45.7% shooting from the field to go along with 5.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds. Make no mistake about it, Cleveland's offense will start with Mitchell. Look for the Wizards to throw different looks at him throughout the night to keep him off balance.
NEUTRALIZING JARRETT ALLEN
Similar to the Garland-Mitchell situation in the backcourt, the Cavs are also known for their dynamic frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Unfortunately for the Cavs, Mobley (like Garland) is injured. That has put the onus on Allen, and he's been handling it well.
"They're battling the injury bug a bit," said Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. after practice on Tuesday. "But they're still very dangerous... You've seen Jarrett Allen's usage, touches, and efficiency jump up over these handful of games. He's putting a lot of pressure on defenses, and he's scoring at an elite level in the paint. They're using him at the top of the floor, and they do a terrific job of cutting and moving, which is hard to guard when you have the level of shooting they can put on the floor."
Washington's bigs will have their hands full on Wednesday as they try to keep Allen at bay.
DENI AVDIJA'S TWO-WAY DOMINANCE
Deni Avdija is coming off of arguably the best two-game stretch of his young career. Against the Nets, he scored 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 shooting from deep to go along with 13 rebounds, six assists, and only one turnover. One game later against the Hawks, Avdija followed that up with another double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 boards.
Avdija's ability to defend the opponent's top player and then finish defensive possessions with a rebound has been tremendously helpful in both holding down the defense and kickstarting the offense. Keep an eye on Avdija's overall aggression and comfort level on Wednesday night.