PREVIEW: The Cleveland Cavaliers arrive in Washington riding momentum after consecutive victories, most recently dismantling Philadelphia 132-121 with Donovan Mitchell erupting for 46 points. Mitchell has been virtually unstoppable this season, averaging 31.9 points per game while shooting an elite 57.6 percent from three-point range. With supporting contributions from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland's balanced offensive attack poses serious problems for any defense willing to engage. The Cavaliers rank first in high-frequency three-point shooting at 51.6 percent of their attempts, while also forcing turnovers at the second-best rate in the league. The Wizards find themselves in desperate straits, sitting at 1-7 with six consecutive losses and surrendering 128.1 points per contest, the worst defensive mark in professional basketball. Washington struggles with spacing on offense, ranking 30th in the league while simultaneously allowing opponents to generate high-quality three-point opportunities at an alarming frequency. Young talents Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George have provided flashes of competence, but the roster lacks the veteran stability required to compete at this stage of development. Cleveland owns a dominant 12-game winning streak against Washington dating back to 2022, suggesting this matchup carries significant implications for the Wizards' morale.