The Washington Wizards (2-3) will face reigning champions Cleveland Cavaliers (2-3) on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Value City Arena in a 2016-2017 NBA Preseason Games match.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Washington has alternated losing and winning in their first five games of the preseason. After opening with a home loss to the Miami Heat, the Wizards then won in overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, followed by a two-point loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden for their third game.
They defeated Philly again in a more convincing fashion at home in their fourth game before surrendering a close one against the Sacramento Kings last Saturday, 124-119, at the Rupp Arena.
John Wall has played his third straight game against the Kings as Wizards head coach Scott Brooks is slowly incorporating him with the new system. Wall's playing time is also gradually increasing from 16 minutes against the Knicks (his first game back from double knee surgery) to 19 minutes versus the Sixers and finally 22 minutes in the loss to Sacramento.
The three-time NBA All-Star is incredibly productive considering his minutes and him just coming back from knee procedures. Wall had eight points, three rebounds, and four assists in the Knicks game while producing nine points, two boards, and nine dimes against Philly.
Against Sacramento, Wall scored 11 points, grabbed a rebound, and dished off four assists, but he had four steals to lead the team on defense.
Meanwhile, the Cavs are currently on a three-game losing streak after winning their first two preseason games.
After wins over the Orlando Magic and Sixers where LeBron James featured in limited minutes, the Cavs lost to the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Chicago Bulls in succession.
Head coach Tyronn Lue has not fielded his best five during those three losses, except for 22, 25, and 21-minute starting stints for Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson respectively against the Raptors. James has sat out all those games.
In their most recent preseason game versus the Bulls, shooting guard Jordan McRae scored 19 points and dished out five assists to continue to fight for a place in the Cavs' final 15-man roster. Rookie point guard Kay Felder again produced impressive preseason numbers of 14 points, three boards, and seven assists.
Undrafted shooting guard John Holland led the team in scoring with 23 points off the bench.
Prediction
A win for the Wizards as Cleveland will continue to rest their starters in preparation for the regular season opening later this month.
