Washington @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 22, 2018 ) Washington 110, Cleveland 103

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have coach Tyronn Lue back on the sidelines when they host the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Lue missed the past nine games due to health issues that included chest pains and sleep deprivation and the team went 8-1 under interim coach Larry Drew during his absence.

Overall, the streaking Cavaliers have won four straight games and nine of their past 10 as they battle the Philadelphia 76ers for third place in the Eastern Conference. "We don't know what we can become," forward LeBron James said after Tuesday's 112-106 win over the East-leading Toronto Raptors. "We have no idea, but right now we're playing good ball and we want to try to continue that." The Wizards have sewn up a playoff spot but certainly aren't trending in the right direction with six losses in their past eight games. All-Star point John Wall is back from a two-month absence after knee surgery and is trying to work himself into playoff shape.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (42-36): Wall had nearly as many turnovers (eight) as points (nine) while struggling through a 3-of-10 shooting performance in Tuesday's 120-104 loss to the Houston Rockets. Wall is just 9-of-27 shooting in his two games since returning while averaging 12 points and 12 assists and he isn't worried about which seed Washington ends up with. "No matter who we play, we have to go out there and compete," Wall told reporters. "It doesn't matter in the fifth seed, sixth seed, fourth seed, seventh, eighth seed - every matchup is going to be tough. No playoff game is going to be easy and every guy in here understands that."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (48-30): Veteran point guard Jose Calderon isn't asked to do much scoring but he was up to the task on Tuesday, when he scored a season-best 19 points against his former Toronto teammates. The 36-year-old Calderon averages just 4.6 points but he was a solid 7-of-11 from the field - including three 3-pointers - in the stellar showing. "He's just one of those guys who you just say is a consummate pro," power forward Kevin Love told reporters of Calderon. "Just brings it every single day, comes in and does his job. On the defensive end, he picks up full court and brings us a whole different energy. On both sides of the ball, he's super scrappy. On the offensive end, he gets us into our sets, is always hitting shots gets into the lane and always makes the right play."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Wizards won two straight visits to Cleveland, including a 110-103 decision on Feb. 22.

2. Washington SF Kelly Oubre Jr. is just 6-for-33 over the past three games.

3. Cleveland PG George Hill (ankle) will likely miss his third straight game.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 118, Wizards 108