|
 James missed his second game of the season and the Eastern
Conference-leading Cavaliers (41-17) missed their leading man. The
Wizards (28-30) led after each quarter and by as many as 30 points
in the second half en route to handing Cleveland its second straight
loss and third in four games.
Forward Otto Porter also scored 21 points and matched his
career-high with four 3-pointers for the Wizards, winners of two
straight. Guard Bradley Beal had 17 points.
James scored 25 points in 40 minutes in Cleveland's 99-97 loss at
the Toronto Raptors Friday.
"We have three games in four nights," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue
told reporters before Sunday's 1PM start. "An early game. We just
played in Toronto. I just felt today was a good game to give (James)
some rest."
Guard Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers with 28 points against the
Wizards. Forward Kevin Love added 12 points, but didn't score in the
second half. Cleveland shot 40 percent from the field.
All of Porter's 3-pointers came in the third quarter and he scored
15 points in the period, one less than the Cavaliers. Washington is
5-2 since returning from the All-Star break.
The Cavaliers fell to 0-2 this season without James and 3-12 when he
sits since the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player returned to
Cleveland before the 2014-15 season.
[to top of second column] |
The Wizards didn't swing and miss at yet another opportunity against
a depleted opponent. Washington's previous two losses, both on the
road, came against teams without their best players. The Miami Heat
survived without guard Dwyane Wade and forward Chris Bosh while the
Chicago Bulls dumped the Wizards 109-104 Wednesday without guards
Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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