With J.R. Smith inking a new deal on Saturday afternoon and getting his first action of the preseason on Tuesday night in Columbus, the band was finally back together for the final dress rehearsal before they begin their title defense next week at The Q.
Cleveland’s regulars – specifically their starting frontline of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson – looked ready to rumble, scoring 41 of the Cavaliers’ 53 first half points as the Cavs – who led by as many as 12 in the second quarter – went to the halftime locker room up four.
But the Wizards began the second stanza on a 9-2 run and took a three-point lead early in the third. Both squads went back and forth for the remainder of the period before Tyronn Lue and Scott Brooks emptied their benches to start the final period.
In the fourth, the Wizards extended their lead to nine, 88-79, with just 3:31 to play. But the Cavaliers’ reserves – consisting of Kay Felder, Jordan McRae, Cory Jefferson, DeAndre Liggins, John Holland, Jonathan Holmes and Markel Brown – cut it to a single point with 47.8 to play, thanks to back-to-back triples from Holland and Holmes.
Liggins’ three-point attempt with 19.5 to play, however, missed everything and the Wizards were able to ice the victory on four straight free throws by Marcus Thornton.
James, Love and Thompson were the only three Cavaliers to notch double-figures in Tuesday’s contest.
LeBron led the Cavaliers with 18 points in 26 minutes of work – going 8-of-13 from the floor to go with four boards, two assists and a game-high four steals. Love scored all 15 of his points in the opening period and finished 5-of-10 from the floor, including 3-of-7 from long-distance. And Thompson went 6-of-6 from the floor for 14 points while leading the Wine and Gold with 10 boards.
J.R. Smith, who rejoined the squad this weekend, drilled his first triple and finished with four points in just under 12 minutes of action as he works off the rust. His partner in the starting backcourt, Kyrie Irving, was limited to just 10 minutes of action, leaving the game in the first half with some stiffness in his right calf and watching the remainder of the contest from Cleveland’s bench.
“It was great to have (Smith) back,” said LeBron. “He just stretches the floor for us. He gives us another defender, another big body and a guy with championship pedigree. So it’s always great to get him back on the floor.”
The Wizards had four players reach double-figures, led by Andrew Nicholson, who finished with 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting off the bench. John Wall paced Washington’s starters with 17 points and Marcin Gortat led all rebounders with 13.
“I think we’re in a good place,” added Kevin Love. “We’ve had glimpses of what we’re capable of. I feel like we’re in good shape. We’ve had great practices and we’re going to continue to get better throughout the next week and be ready to go on ring night.”
The Cavaliers closed out the 2016-17 preseason with a 2-4 mark after winning their first two exhibition games at The Q. None of that matters now, however, as the Wine and Gold begin preparations for the new-look Knicks, who roll into Quicken Loans Arena as the squad raises its NBA Championship banner into the rafters next Tuesday.
