Cavaliers Defeat the Wizards 114-90: Game Recap 1/5/24

Post-Game Recap

3 Key Factors Around the Victory

1 – Three!

The Cavaliers had a considerable advantage from the three-point line, hitting seven more threes for 48.5%.

2 – Rebounding

The Cavs controlled the boards on the night, outrebounding the Wizards 52 to 31, led by Jarrett Allen’s twelve rebounds. 

3 – Bench

Cleveland also got another big night from the bench, scoring 55 points. 

Game Summary

Donovan Mitchell secured 26 points, Jarrett Allen notched his sixth consecutive double-double, and the Cleveland Cavaliers comfortably triumphed over the Washington Wizards with a 114-90 victory on Friday night, marking their second decisive win in three nights.

While the Cavs faced a bit more resistance compared to their 140-101 blowout on Wednesday, Mitchell took charge, contributing 12 points in the third quarter to propel Cleveland to a substantial lead.

Allen concluded the game with 12 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing a remarkable streak of performances in the last six games, averaging 19.6 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Caris LeVert achieved a season-high 10 assists, and Georges Niang added 14 points for the Cavaliers.

Tyus Jones led the Wizards with 16 points, but their defensive struggles persisted as they entered the game allowing the highest points per game in the NBA at 126.6.

Cleveland’s resilience without key players Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, both sidelined for another month, was evident as they improved to 7-3 in their absence. The team emphasized ball movement and cutting, yielding positive results thus far.

Despite a more spirited effort from the Wizards, who fell to a season-low in points, they still couldn’t match the Cavaliers, dropping to a dismal 6-28 overall record and 3-17 on the road.

Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. had hoped for a stronger performance after their embarrassing rebounding deficit on Wednesday. Although Washington played tougher, Cleveland’s decisive 3-pointers by Dean Wade and Mitchell in the third quarter extended the lead to 25, ultimately leading to a 32-19 advantage for the Cavs in that period.

Mitchell’s early contributions and the Cavs’ strategic adjustments proved effective, securing another victory even without two key players in the lineup.

UP NEXT:

Home versus Spurs on Sunday Night.