Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers smother Wizards to complete late comeback

Cleveland Cavaliers end three-game skid with a spirited comeback

The Cleveland Cavaliers finally snapped the three-game losing streak with a late comeback win over the Washington Wizards at home, 92-86. Still playing without All-Star point guard Darius Garland, the Cavs was in danger of giving up another close contest but banked on their defense to snatch the win in the final minutes.

Trailing by nine halfway through the final quarter, Cleveland’s other All-Star Jarrett Allen led the defense as they smothered the visiting team with a 17-2 run to close the game. The 23-year-old big man completely came alive in the clutch, scoring eight of his 18 points while grabbing six of his 14 rebounds during that pivotal stretch.

After previously missing 11 straight games due to an ankle injury, Lauri Markkanen continued to lead the Cavaliers in scoring in his second game back with 23 points, helping keep the game within reach to set up that comeback opportunity.

Washington’s Kyle Kuzma led all scorers with 34 huge points but was only able to make one field goal once the Cavs put on the clamps towards the endgame, good for the only points scored by the Wizards since the 5:50 mark of the fourth quarter.

Cavs are in the midst of an Eastern Conference playoff race for the ages

Without two of Cleveland’s best scorers in both Garland and Caris LeVert, it was up to Markkanen, as well bench gunners Cedi Osman and Kevin Love to pick up the load. While the former All-Star Love continued to struggle to find his shot, Osman came to the rescue with a 19-point effort.

Prolific Rookie of the Year frontrunner Evan Mobley was also key for the Cavaliers on both ends, finishing with a double-double of 14 and 11 as the Tower City trio combined for 55 points in the win.

With the victory, the young yet incredibly resilient Cavs squad improved to 36-24 and climbed back up to fourth in a suffocating playoff race in the East, one that is playing out to be one of the closest in league history.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will continue on the three-game homestand, looking to string together a few more wins as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 28 and the Charlotte Hornets on March 2nd.