CLEVELAND: Months from now, it might be remembered as the night LeBron James shucked his goggles about nine minutes into the game.
But for the moment, Saturday’s key Eastern Conference matchup against the Washington Wizards was regarded as an indicator of the Cavaliers’ continuing issues on defense.
The Cavs surrendered 40 points in the first quarter, season highs for both the Wizards and the Cavs defense, and 71 points in the first half. They had no answer for the Wizards’ John Wall, who poured in 37 points, hitting 14-of-21 from the field, or a balanced Washington attack that placed seven players in double figures.