Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland (ten) shoots as Washington Wizards’ Monte Morris (22) defends in the course of the 1st half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Phil Extended)

CLEVELAND — Darius Garland had 24 points and nine assists, Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers under no circumstances trailed in a 117-94 victory more than the Washington Wizards on Friday evening.

Evan Mobley had 20 points, eight rebounds and 4 blocked shots for the Cavaliers.

They constructed a 21-point lead in the second quarter and didn’t permit Washington to get closer than seven.

Cleveland (45-28) moved 3 games ahead of New York and four 1/two in front of Brooklyn in the battle for fourth location in the East and dwelling-court benefit in the opening round of the playoffs. The Cavaliers’ subsequent two games are in Brooklyn.

The victory assured Cleveland of its winningest season given that 2018, when it final created the playoffs and was swept in the NBA Finals by Golden State. Beginning center Jarrett Allen missed his fourth straight game with a correct eye contusion.

Bradley Beal scored 22 points and Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Wizards.

Washington (32-38) lost for the sixth time in eight games and fell into a tie with Indiana and Chicago for the final East play-in tournament spot.

The Cavaliers only created four of 19 three-pointers with Mitchell and Garland combining to miss their 1st ten attempts. Caris LeVert had 15 points off the bench and Ricky Rubio added eight points and 5 assists.

Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma had seven points immediately after missing a game with a sore correct knee. Corey Kispert scored 12 points and Monte Morris had ten points, but Washington committed 17 turnovers that price it 21 points.

Cleveland swept the 3-game season series.

CAUTIOUS COACH

The Cavaliers are closing in on their 1st playoff berth with out LeBron James on the roster given that 1998, but coach J.B. Bickerstaff refuses to appear also far ahead.

“We’ve got to go out and finish what we’ve began,” Bickerstaff mentioned. “That’s our concentrate.”

Cleveland lost ten of its final 13 games final season, such as two in the play-in tournament, to finish 44-38 and extend its playoff drought to 4 years given that James’ joined the Lakers.

TIP-INS

Wizards: F Xavier Cooks — named MVP of Australia’s National Basketball League final month — signed a multi-year contract prior to the game. The six-foot-eight, 183-pound Australian went undrafted in 2018 immediately after graduating from Winthrop. “Xavier is coming off a championship run (with the Sydney Kings) and had yet another superb season,” coach Wes Unseld Jr. mentioned.

Cavaliers: F Danny Green has only logged 41 minutes more than 5 games given that becoming signed Feb. 15 immediately after his release by Houston. The 3-time NBA champion has created five of 9 three-pointers with Cleveland. “There are guys who will need reps and I’ve been speaking to Danny about that,” Bickerstaff mentioned. “I will need to get him a lot more 5-on-5 time.” … F Dean Wade, who created nine begins, has not appeared in 5 of the final six games.

UP Subsequent Wizards: Host Sacramento on Saturday evening.

Cavaliers: Pay a visit to Brooklyn on Tuesday evening.

Today’s breaking news and a lot more in your inbox