Sexton leads Cavs past Wizards (12-8-18)

By:Ryan Fowler

Headline Graphic Credit: Darrell Owens-LMS Network

CLEVELAND–The rookie scored a decisive win over the five-time All-Star in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 116-101 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

Collin Sexton, the Cavaliers’ first-year point guard, matched a season high with 29 points, while John Wall was held to a career-low one point in Cleveland’s easy victory.

Wall came into the game averaging 21.3 points, but his only point came on a free throw early in the third quarter with Cleveland holding a 74-48 lead. He missed all five shots and had six assists.

Wall, who was taken out late in the third quarter, didn’t need to analyze the statistics.

”I didn’t have to look at it,” he said. ”I already knew it without looking at it. First game of my life. One free throw. No field goals.”

Wall said he’s been dealing with a bone spur in his left heel and received treatment in the locker room following the game.

”I couldn’t move,” he said. ”Couldn’t run. Probably shouldn’t have played. That’s my fault….I’ve had it for a while.” Sexton matched up against Wall for the second time this season. Wall scored eight points – his career low before Saturday – while Sexton had 24 on Nov. 14. Sexton was 13 of 23 from the field and had six assists, including an alley-oop pass to Larry Nance Jr. for a one-handed dunk that brought the crowd to its feet late in the game. ”I saw him cut from the corner and I just had to pick it up with my hand and toss it to him” Sexton said.

Wall returned after missing Washington’s victory Wednesday night over Atlanta because of the birth of his first child. 

Tristan Thompson had 23 points and 19 rebounds as Cleveland dominated, going ahead for good late in the first quarter and building a 29-point lead in the second half.

Bradley Beal scored 27 points, but the Wizards turned in a flat performance after winning three straight.

Cleveland (6-20) had only 10 available players because of injuries and Friday’s three-team trade with the Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks, but didn’t play like a short-handed team.

TOUGH NIGHT:

The Wizards were displeased about their effort in the lopsided defeat.

”This game was unacceptable on many fronts,” Beal said. ”We’ve got to be disciplined. We didn’t come out with the same focus we had the last three games.”

”I’m disappointed that our mindset wasn’t right,” coach Scott Brooks said. ”We gave up everything they wanted. We didn’t have the right mindset.”

BOUNCE BACK

The Cavaliers were defeated 129-110 by Sacramento on Friday, but rebounded with a strong performance.

”We had guys that stepped up and played really well,” coach Larry Drew said. ”It was one of those games that we got into a pretty good rhythm.”

BEYOND THE ARC:

Wizards: Former Cavs F Jeff Green scored 17 points and F Otto Porter Jr. added 15. … F Sam Dekker was sent from Cleveland to Washington in the deal. He hasn’t played since Nov. 7 because of a sprained left ankle, but is close to returning.

Cavaliers: G Alec Burks scored 14 points… F Jaron Blossomgame, signed to a two-way contract last week, made his first career start. He scored six points in 20 minutes in his third NBA game.

[R.F]