Cleveland fell to the Chicago Bulls 113-98 in their last game before the All-Star break, and will look to get back to their winning ways against the Washington Wizards, who fell 95-93 to the Toronto Raptors.
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers (33-22)
G Kyrie Irving – 21.7 ppg, 5.3 apg
G J.R. Smith – 12.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg
F LeBron James – 25.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 7.3 apg
F Kevin Love – 17.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg
C Timofey Mozgov– 10.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg
Washington Wizards (33-21)
G John Wall –17.4 ppg, 10.1 apg
G Otto Porter Jr. – 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg
F Paul Pierce – 12.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg
F Nene – 11.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg
C Marcin Gortat – 11.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg
What to watch for:
Who will play with less rust?
Washington hasn't played a game in nine days and Cleveland hasn't played in eight days because of the All-Star break, so both sides will undoubtedly come out a little rusty tonight. Whoever can shake that off the quickest will take an early lead and have a big advantage.
Prediction: Cavs win 98-87
This game will get off to a slow, sloppy start as the teams will be playing their first game in over a week. Washington is shorthanded with Bradley Beal's injury, and they don't have enough firepower without him to hang with the Cavs throughout the course of this one.
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