The Cavaliers destroy the Wizards

The Cavaliers are back and have been hot for three games. After Atlanta (117-109) and Philadelphia (132-121), Washington is the latest victim of Kenny Atkinson’s team tonight. Led by the determined duo of Garland-Mitchell and interiors Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in control tower mode, Cleveland quickly stifled the Wizards on their floor.

Despite interesting starts by CJ McCollum and a bloodied Alex Sarr, Washington was blown away with less than two minutes left in the first quarter. Enough time to allow the Cavs to go on a 13-2 run fueled by threes Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill (24-37).

A 3/3 triple by CJ Collum to start the second act wasn’t enough to reignite the flames (37-44). Very quickly, the rest of the Cavs army activated around Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell to get back to +17 at the break (59-76). Cleveland then knew how to manage without fear.

Donovan Mitchell set the tone after returning from the locker room with a dunk and three 3-pointers of his own to make it 67-95. Even if the end of the game was alive until the end, the offense of Alex Sarr and his teammates was clearly not enough to stop the almost complete Cavaliers, winning 148 to 114.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– The Cavs have corrected the record. Defeated in the first game of the NBA Cup against the Raptors in the absence of the Garland-Mitchell-Merrill-Allen quartet, the Cavs showed what they are made of when not handicapped by injuries. A great show of strength and +34 in the finish, it’s an understatement to say that Kenny Atkinson’s men have mastered their subject!

– Alex Saar did not lower his head. We have to deal with this Mobley-Allen duo! The French interior, however, did not give up and should still be credited for a good outing (20 points on 10/17 shooting, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks), even if the match quickly lost interest. He was able to display his palette, close to the circle, at mid-range, with a counter attack. He just lacked a bit of outside skill to improve his performance.

– Tre Johnson’s premiere. It’s an advantage that Washington was selected sixth. Tre Johnson has a chance to play and last night he celebrated his first start in the NBA. The 19-year-old guard didn’t miss his chance, scoring 18 points, his new career high, on 7/11 shooting.

– The charm of the NBA Cup. The point average advantage means that every basket counts until the end. Cleveland wanted redemption and Washington didn’t want to back down, leading to a spirited final act even though the matchup’s fate was already sealed. That’s the charm of the NBA Cup.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.