Wizards, Cavaliers clash in Cleveland
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Washington has been out of the postseason hunt for weeks but it has done a solid job playing spoiler. The Wizards will try to continue to put together a strong finish to their season by earning a season- high fifth straight win in Cleveland.
Washington has the second-worst record in the NBA behind dismal Charlotte but has beaten three playoff teams over the past few weeks, Orlando, Chicago and Miami.
The Wizards most recent victory came on Monday in D.C. when they blitzed the Bobcats 101-73. John Wall had a double-double in that one while Nene scored 18 points.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wall finished with 16 points and 14 assists and Jan Vesely scored 16 for Washington, which led by as many as 30 en route to its fourth straight win, its longest run since 2007-08.
"Even though it's near the end of the season we are playing good as a team," said Wall.
Off the floor on Tuesday the Wizards announced that they have agreed to a new contract with president Ernie Grunfeld.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I'm excited to continue the process of rebuilding this team and excited about the direction that we're headed," said Grunfeld. "We've seen significant progress from our young players and positive contributions from our veterans that have us very optimistic about our future and very eager to take the next steps to continue to improve."
The Cavaliers have gone the opposite direction late in the season and have lost seven of nine overall, including Monday's 109-101 setback at Memphis.
Presumptive Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving finished with a game-high 25 points for Cleveland, which lost for the 17th time in its last 21 games overall. Antawn Jamison added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Tristan Thompson finished with 12 points and nine boards in the loss.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I'm very satisfied with how hard we're playing and especially how well we played tonight," said Cleveland head coach Byron Scott.
Irving, however, did not attend Wednesday morning's shootaround and has been listed as doubtful with gastroenteritis.
These two teams have split a pair of meetings in the nation's capital so far in 2011-12.