Wizards host Cavaliers for a Sunday afternoon showdown

January 3, 2:24 PMWashington Wizards ExaminerGeorge Panagakos

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Caron Butler (right) didn't have many looks against
the Boston Celtics last night, and will hope to get
more shots against the Cleveland Cavaliers
tomorrow at home (AP Photo/Charles Krupa).

The Washington Wizards will host the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow for an early 1:00 p.m. ET game at the Verizon Center tomorrow, as Washington looks to even up the series in part two of the ongoing rivalry.

In the first game of the series, just a week and a half ago on Christmas Day, the Wizards played strong on the road but let the Cavs go on an 11-0 run to end the fourth quarter.

Like Boston, the Cavs play tough defense, and have a boat-load of players who can score.  Whether or not the Wizards' Andray Blatche will play could determine the style of tomorrow's game for Cleveland, a team that is just as comfortable working the paint as it is shooting threes.

One snag for Cleveland is the loss of "Big Z," Zydrunas Ilgauskas, thought to be out until at least next month due to an ankle injury.  Blatche's ankle has him on a day-to-day, so if you're a fantasy owner, keep checking until it's game time.

If Blatche plays, this game is one the Wizards could dominate.  If Blatche doesn't play, the Wizards will need big help from JaVale McGee and Etan Thomas off the bench.  The Cavaliers will need help from Ben Wallace and Anderson Varejao without Big Z.

The good news for the Wizards is Brendan Haywood's wrist cast was taken off December 22nd, and he is currently in the process of reabilitation.  The bad news is DeShawn Stevenson has been out due to a troublesome back.

I'll try to find out more about all of these team injuries, and the status of Gilbert Arenas, as we continue the Arenas Watch and the so called "early January" return.  In time for New York?


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