Cavs Vs Wizards: 3 Things We Learned

When the Cleveland Cavaliers get things rolling, the Cavs are tough to stop!

Well, that was fun

In what was hyped up as the match-up between the two All-Star points guards, Kyrie Irving and John Wall, only one of them looked like one and that was Irving, as he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 121-115 win over the Washington Wizards in the Nations Capital.

Irving was sensational on the night, as he finished with 32 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block, while going 14-of-22 from the field on the night. LeBron James doubled up; finishing with 34 points and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes of action while J.R. Smith was smoking all night, hitting 5-of-10 from downtown to account for his 25 points.

The win pushed Cleveland’s winning streak to five and they are now 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Cavs opened up a three-game lead atop of the Eastern Conference with their 24-9 record. The Wizards slumped to 15-18 and now sit 12^th in the East with a 15-18 record.

Here are three things we learned from the win.

Kyridiculous

Ever since returning from his injury, Irving struggled to find his rhythm over his first few games. He was getting good looks and his movements looked silk but shots that normally fall for him simply weren’t.

Well, it’s safe to say that Irving is out of that slump.

Irving was simply incredible against the Wizards, as the aforementioned stat-line of 32 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block, while going 14-of-22 from the field is something to marvel at. In the fourth quarter, Irving was even better, putting up 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field.

Irving’s fourth quarter was full of athletic, acrobatic and simply breathtaking dribble moves and finishes at the basket. It was the type of stuff Cavs fans missed while Irving was injured and seeing them again is a sight for sore eyes.

Every time the Wizards made a little run to get back into the game, Irving had an answer. His body control and innate ability to switch hands while in midway driving to the rim while dodging defenders is something that no one else in the league can match.

Words honestly do not do Irving’s performance justice. One can just watch and admire the beauty of Irving playing basketball.

After the game, James had some pretty high praise for Irving

Irving probably isn’t even back to 100% health yet, which is the scary part. Watch out NBA, Irving looks better then ever.

LeBron And J.R.

Lost in all the attention (and deservedly so) that Irving attracted from this game is how good James and Smith was against Washington.

Lets start with James, who was, as always, amazing.

According to ESPN, this was James’ 90^th 30-point, 10-rebound game since he entered the league, which is tops in the NBA ahead of Dirk Nowitzki (81) and Kevin Durant (63).

The beginning of the third quarter is where James simply caught fire, as he went berserk from beyond the arc. James hit four-three pointers in the opening three-minutes of the third quarter, to put the Cavs ahead by 18, a lead they would not loss for the reminder of the game.

When the Wizards began closing in on James’ jumpers, well, he did this.

As for Smith, this was the type of game that suits him perfectly.

Cleveland and Washington played a fast-paced, offensive-minded game and Smith was in his element.

As aforementioned, Smith finished up with five three-pointers on the night and 25 points, as he benefited greatly from having James and Irving drawing so much attention.

When James and Irving are on like they were against the Wizards, it allows Smith to float around the three-point line and then unload on catch and shoot situations. Smith is shooting 41.3% on catch and shoot threes this season but with Irving now back into an offensive rhythm, that number is sure to go up and up.

Of course, Smith has always been a tough shot maker and he still posses that innate ability to bail the Cavs out on any possession. This is what makes the Cavs such a tough offensive team to beat, as when a possession turns ugly, they have so many bailout options- James, Smith and Irving. That was on full display against the Wizards, who simply had no answers.

Where Is The Love?

Kevin Love didn’t play in the fourth quarter against Washington and honestly, it wasn’t even that big of a deal.

Love finished with just eight points and nine rebounds but in a game where the Cavs were playing isolation heavy basketball, as they had just 16 assists on 48 made field goals. This style doesn’t suit Love, as he is often just left standing and watching Irving and James go to work. Someone like Smith is much more effective in these style of games.

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Also, the game was played at a high-tempo, which suits Tristan Thompson a lot more then Love, as he can use his versatility and quickness to make a bigger impact on the game then Love.

Love has been one of the Cavs most important pieces this season and will be a major key for them this season as they attempt to win a championship. Sometimes though, his services are not needed and that isn’t necessarily a bad things, as it shows how Cleveland can play a number of different styles and it is a nod to the depth the Cavaliers now possess.