By Will Peralta
The Washington Wizards are set to face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, marking their return to action after a lengthy break. Their last game was on Sunday, and with several key players sidelined due to injury, the Wizards will need to dig deep to pull off an upset against the 21-4 Cavaliers.
The Wizards’ injury report makes for grim reading, with Saddiq Bey (knee), Kyle Kuzma (ribs), Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Corey Kispert (ankle), and Kyshawn George (ankle) all ruled out. This depleted lineup will be taking on a Cavaliers team that boasts a 50.7% shooting percentage from the field, 2.2% higher than the 48.5% of shots the Wizards’ opponents have made.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, have a few injury concerns of their own. Evan Mobley is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, while Isaac Okoro is probable with a knee injury. Despite these injuries, the Cavaliers are still heavily favored, with a -17 point spread.
From a statistical perspective, the Cavaliers have a significant advantage. They average 121.4 points per game, compared to the Wizards’ 107.6 points per game. The Cavaliers also have a stronger rebounding game, with Jarrett Allen averaging 10.4 rebounds per game.
For the Wizards to have any chance of pulling off an upset, they’ll need to rely on their bench players to step up. Jordan Poole, who averages 20.4 points per game, will be crucial in leading the Wizards’ offense. The Wizards will also need to focus on shutting down the Cavaliers’ high-powered offense, which averages 123.5 points per game at home.
While the odds are stacked against them, the Wizards can take heart from their previous performances against the Cavaliers. In their last matchup, the Wizards put up a respectable 87 points, despite ultimately losing 118-87. With a bit of luck and some gritty defense, the Wizards might just be able to keep things interesting tonight even with all of those injuries.