The Cleveland Cavaliers were playing some of their best basketball for three-plus quarters, having amassed a 19-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter behind 50 combined points (on 27 shots) from Cedi Osman and Jordan Clarkson, who were having their way with a lackadaisical Wizards defense. Cleveland’s offense was effective for most of the night, with center Ante Zizic setting the pace with six early points and Osman, Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. providing a spark on both ends of the court.
Nance Jr., who went scoreless in his first game back from injury in the Cavs 104-101 win over the Chicago Bulls, recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and an emphatic block in 25 minutes, shooting 6-8 from the field and proving himself to be quite the compliment to Zizic’s low-post presence when subbed in for the second-year center.