Cavaliers 107 - 115 Wizards
Final
  for this game

Cavs, Wizards tangle in nation's capital

Apr 1, 2011 - 3:16 PM (Sports Network) - The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference lock up in the nation's capital Friday when the Washington Wizards play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Wizards followed up just their second road win of the season by falling to Miami, 123-107. at the Verizon Center on Wednesday. LeBron James recorded 35 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals in that one.

Jordan Crawford finished with a career-high 39 points for the Wizards, who have struggled to an 18-56 record this season. Maurice Evans added 21 points.

"Jordan continues to impress and amaze," Wizards head coach Flip Saunders said. "Whatever you ask him to do, whatever responsibility, he has no fear."

Three players were ejected from the game due to a small scuffle with 8:48 left in the first half. Miami center Zydrunas Ilgauskas controlled the ball at the top of the arc and swung his elbows around while being guarded by John Wall. The rookie guard wasn't happy with Ilgauskas and tried to throw a punch at Ilgauskas' midsection. That led to some pushing and shoving.

Ilgauskas and Wall each received flagrant foul type two's and were tossed from the contest. Heat forward Juwan Howard and Washington center JaVale McGee were called for a double technical foul. Howard was also ejected from the game.

On Thursday the NBA suspended Wall for one game without pay for the altercation and he will sit tonight.

The Cavs, meanwhile, failed to follow up on an emotional high after topping James and the Heat on Tuesday, dropping a tough one in Charlotte the following night. Boris Diaw finished with 26 points and 11 assists as the Bobcats narrowly edged Cleveland, 98-97, to match its season-high winning streak of four games.

Ramon Sessions paced Cleveland with 24 points in a reserve role, while J.J. Hickson posted 20 points and seven boards and Anthony Parker scored 14.

"We competed a lot better tonight," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said. "Some good things, but we didn't play the defense we did last night."

The last time these clubs got together on Feb. 13 in the Forest City, Washington halted its 25-game road losing streak to start the season with a 115-100 triumph. Overall, however, the home team has won 14 of 17 in the series.






Related News