Tuesday NBA: Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are off full-blown panic mode after winning two straight games, but they also have yet to beat anything resembling a playoff team – and Tuesday’s game with the Wizards presents such an opportunity. Bet on the game at WagerWeb.com.

The Cavs and Wizards were getting a nice little rivalry going until Gilbert Arenas got hurt. These two teams met in the playoffs each year from 2006-2008, with the Cavs winning all three. Overall, the Cavaliers have defeated the Wizards five consecutive games at Quicken Loans Arena, winning the five games by an average margin of 12.2 points.

”As long as I’m on the court, Gilbert’s [Arenas] on the court, Caron [Butler], Brendan [Haywood], Antawn [Jamison]. Until we all go away, it’s going to be a rivalry,” said DeShawn Stevenson of the Wizards. ”But it’s a rivalry. I know it’s going to be hard fouls and the fans booing. It’s a rivalry. It’s going to be a tough game.”

LeBron James is leading the Cavs in points (24.8), rebounds (7.8) and assists (8.8 – ranks 5th in the NBA) in 38.8 minutes per game. And the Cavs got guard Delonte West back over the weekend, and he scored 13 points (all in the second half) on 5-7 (.741) shooting in the win over Charlotte. Coach Mike Brown isn’t placing restrictions on him, although Brown won’t start West tonight.

“I’m not worried about his minutes if he’s active,” Brown said. “There’s no coddling or anything like that. If he can play, he’s going to play.”

It was a turbulent offseason for West, who suffers from bipolar syndrome. He could face a league suspension for misdemeanor weapons charges against him in Maryland. Last week, his wife filed a domestic violence report against him.

As for the Wizards, Arenas looks healthy again and ranks fourth in NBA in scoring at 28 points per game. He’s already appeared in more games this season (three) than he did all of last year (two). Arenas, 27, had surgery on his left knee on Sept. 18, 2008.

“Gil is back playing at 100 percent,” Cavs guard Mo Williams said. “He’s playing well.”

Cavs coach Mike Brown said any time a team faces Arenas, a three-time All-Star, he’s capable of scoring 50 points.

Washington will be shorthanded tonight. Jamison won’t play for at least two more weeks after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason, and Butler missed Saturday’s home opener against New Jersey with a bruised left knee suffered Friday. But Butler is expected to go tonight.

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