The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Washington Wizards 121-111 on Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Evan Mobley posted 24 points and 12 rebounds as Cleveland outscored Washington 62-42 over the final two quarters to improve to 3-1.
Washington led 42-34 after the first quarter behind Alex Sarr and AJ Dybantsa but scored only 23 in the third and 19 in the fourth as Cleveland’s defense tightened. Dybantsa led Washington with 19 points, and Anthony Davis finished with 18 points as the Wizards fell to 2-3.
Takeaways From Cavaliers’ Win Over Wizards
Cleveland’s bench and depth took over late
Peyton Watson added 22 points off the bench, and Mario Hezonja finished plus-10 in 17 minutes. Cleveland outrebounded Washington 47-27 overall and 15-5 on the offensive glass, turning extra possessions into points even while shooting just 47% from the field compared to Washington’s 53%.
Washington’s hot start did not hold up
The Wizards scored 42 points in the first quarter, their highest total of any period, built on contributions from Sarr, Dybantsa and Trae Young, who combined to carry Washington to a 42-34 lead. But Washington’s offense cooled significantly, scoring 23 points in the third and 19 in the fourth as Cleveland’s defense forced a stretch of empty possessions down the stretch.
Cleveland’s three-point shooting provided the separation
The Cavaliers hit 14 of 38 three-pointers for 37%, compared to Washington’s 8-for-32 mark at 25%. Mobley made five of six three-point attempts, a key factor in his 24-point night, while Donovan Mitchell and James Harden each added two makes from deep.
Player Of The Game: Evan Mobley
Mobley finished with 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-6 from three-point range, to go with 12 rebounds, two assists and three turnovers in 32 minutes. It was his second double-double of the young season and the highest-scoring output among all players in the game for Cleveland.
By The Numbers
- Rebounds: Cleveland 47, Washington 27 (offensive: Cavs 15, Wizards 5)
- Free throws: Cleveland 21-for-22 (95%), Washington 15-for-17 (88%)
- Three-pointers: Cleveland 14-for-38 (37%), Washington 8-for-32 (25%)
- Points in the paint: Washington 66, Cleveland 46
- Bench scoring: Cleveland 27, Washington 10
What It Means
Cleveland improved to 3-1, a half-game behind Detroit in the Central Standings. The Cavaliers won their third straight. Washington dropped to 2-3, tied with Atlanta for second in the Southeast. Cleveland leads the season series 1-0.
What’s Next
Cleveland hosts its next opponent Thursday. Washington hosts its next opponent Friday.
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