Cavs snap four game skid as LeBron James drops 57
Coming into a primetime matchup with the Washington Wizards on Friday Night, the Cleveland Cavaliers had dropped four straight games. Though most organizations would dismiss such a struggle so early into the season, teams led by LeBron James are supposed to dominate, not find themselves on the other side of consecutive embarrassing losses.
Something clicked on this night and The King went on a tear, hanging 57 points on Washington’s helpless defense. When James is dialed in and determined to score, his burly frame and versatile skillset make stopping him comparable to slowing an oncoming freight train with you bare hands. Coming up with huge plays all night, LeBron scored from every inch of the court and made his presence known on both sides of the ball.
Despite an insane night from their unstoppable playmaker, the Cavs were tested by the Wizards as Washington kept the game close throughout both halves. At the end of the battle, the final buzzer gave Cleveland a moment to rejoice as they snapped their four game skid with a 130-122 win.
Their victory was much needed to gain some winning momentum. However, the Cavaliers can’t expect LeBron to pour in 50 plus a night just for them to win by single digits. That isn’t LeBron’s brand of basketball, and that style isn’t conducive towards building winning ways.
While a smudge on their record, the results were a mixed bag for Washington. On one hand, losing such a tight game to Cleveland had to be disheartening. On the other, seeing their rising star Bradley Beal fearlessly attack James and the Cavs D to finish with 36 points of his own had to be music to their ears.
If Beal can sustain his upward trajectory and if Otto Porter Jr. can continue to build off of his breakout season from a year ago, the Wizards might just have the formula to unseat the Eastern Conference Champion Cavaliers. If not, they still have a good chance to meet them in the Conference Finals and show the NBA that they’re coming for the throne.
