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Rob Banez

Battle For The Throne In The Nation’s Capital Between Wizards And Cavs


(Photo: Cleveland.com)

Regular Season Game 8

Cavaliers (3-5) at Wizards (4-3)

November 3, 2017 at 7 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C. TV: ESPN Radio: 1500 AM

 

What to Watch: Running Back Last Year's Showdown?

The last time these two teams faced off head-to-head in the Nation’s Capital, they made Twitter explode. ESPN basketball analyst Tim Legler declared it as the “best game of the ‘16-‘17 NBA season. At the time, the Wizards were riding a 17-game home winning streak and a seven-game winning streak overall. But, the defending NBA champs led by LeBron James and his last second turnaround, step-back, fade away 3-pointer he banked in at the end of regulation to tie the game helped hand the Wizards their first lost at home in exactly two full months in overtime. That game, featured on TNT, was an instant classic. It will be interesting to watch if this game, on ESPN, will be close to a repeat of last year’s showdown.

(Photo: Getty Images)

 

Key Matchup:

Oh, We Talking Teams?

The starting lineup for both the Wizards and the Cavs rank at the top of the NBA. Both starting units have a unique balance between star power and role players, but what differentiates the Wizards and Cavs’ starters from others in the association is how their talent and chemistry come together. The Wizards and Cavs’ continuity is a distinct strength that plays a major part of the overall success of their team. Expect the starters from both squads to show out Friday night.

(Photo: NBA.com)

 

X-Factor:

Bradley Beal

Last Friday, the Wizards went head-to-head with the defending NBA champs Golden State Warriors. The Wizards were up by 14 points with less than 20 seconds left in the first half before their star shooting guard, Bradley Beal, was ejected for his altercation with Warriors forward, Draymond Green. The Wizards ultimately lost that game 120-117, as the team struggled to find fourth quarter scoring, as they were outscored 33 to 20 in the final 12 minutes of play. Not having Beal’s sharpshooting and lockdown defense hurt. This Friday they will have their shot at the three-time reigning Eastern Conference Champions. The X-Factor? Bradley “Big Panda” Beal. When he is on the court, playing at his best, the Wizards have a legitimate chance to beat any team in the association on any given night.

(Photo: Cleveland.com)

 

Fun Factor:

The Return Of Death Row DC

After missing the first seven games of the season because of sports hernia surgery, Markieff Morris aka Snoop Dogg, is set to make his season debut Friday night. Head coach Scott Brooks will look to ease the 28-year-old vet back into play by giving him a minutes restriction around 16 minutes. Getting their toughest player on the roster back into the lineup will immediately help Washington, especially after dropping three of the last four games because of their lack of intensity on the defensive end.

(Photo: Getty Images)

 

Prediction:

The Wizards and Cavs have both underachieved thus far into this early NBA season. The Wizards are 4-3, with two of those losses coming from two teams that are clearly in rebuilding mode. The Cavs on the other hand are 3-5, having lost 4 straight games with the last three being by a margin of 17 points or more. This will be a statement game for both teams and a chance for both to prove to critics that despite the slow start, that they are still top dogs in the East. Look for the Wizards to come out on top at home, closing it out late in the final period of play.

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