OPENING TIP
The Cavaliers are seeking their first back-to-back road wins of the season. If all five starters can reach double figures in scoring, like they have the previous two games, you have to figure the Cavs have a shot. The Wizards have lost seven in a row and will be without forwards Trevor Ariza (calf) and Trevor Booker (knee), as well as guards John Wall (knee) and A.J. Price (hand). The Cavs, of course, are without Anderson Varejao (knee) for a fourth straight game.
Venue: Verizon Center, Washington D.C.
TV/Radio: 6:30 p.m. FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
All-Time Series: Wizards lead, 103-90.
STARTING LINEUPS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (6-23)
C Tyler Zeller
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Alonzo Gee
SG Dion Waiters
PG Kyrie Irving
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (3-23)
C Emeka Okafor
PF Nene
SF Martell Webster
SG Bradley Beal
PG Jordan Crawford
Pregame notes:
• Zeller is averaging 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds starting in place of Varejao. Thompson has been even better, with averages of 11.8 points on 51-percent shooting, and 12 rebounds, in the previous four games.
• The Wizards waived guard Shaun Livingston on Sunday and signed guard Shelvin Mack, the team’s former second-round pick. The Cavs then claimed Livingston, an eight-year veteran, and waived guard Donald Sloan. Livingston is not expected to play tonight.
• The Cavs led wire-to-wire in their 94-82 win at Milwaukee on Saturday. The Bucks’ 82 points were a season-low for a Cavs opponent.
• Beal, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft, is averaging 12.5 points on 36-percent shooting. Waiters, the fourth pick, is at 14.7 points on 37 percent.
