Dean Wade

Merrill started the second half of this game in place of Dean Wade, and the choice was a strong one. After scoring nine points in the first half, he had eight more in the first three minutes of the third quarter. Unfortunately, he only hit one more triple over the course of the rest of the game. This was likely a hot-hand situation, so Merrill should return to playing a role off the bench in Tuesday's game against the Knicks.

Brooklyn Nets (15-38, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (34-21, fourth in the Eastern Conference)Cleveland; Thursday, 7 p.m. ESTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cavaliers -15.5; over/under is 229.5BOTTOM LINE: Cleveland seeks to build upon its five-game win streak with a victory against Brooklyn.The Cavaliers are 20-13 in Eastern Conference games. Cleveland ranks fifth in the league averaging 14.7 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 35.8% from deep. Donovan Mitchell leads the team averaging 3.6 makes while shooting 37.6% from 3-point range.The Nets are 11-22 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn is 5-24 against opponents with a winning record.The Cavaliers average 14.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.3 more made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Nets allow. The Cavaliers average 107.7 points per game, 8.2 fewer points than the 115.9 the Cavaliers give up.The two teams match up for the second time this season. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 131-124 in their last matchup on Oct. 24. Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 35 points, and Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 31 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 29 points, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen is averaging 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds over the last 10 games.Porter is averaging 25 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Nets. Day'Ron Sharpe is averaging 11.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals over the past 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 9-1, averaging 124.1 points, 43.1 rebounds, 29.5 assists, 10.4 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.4 points per game.Nets: 3-7, averaging 104.7 points, 43.3 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.4 points.INJURIES: Cavaliers: Max Strus: out (foot), Evan Mobley: out (calf), Dean Wade: day to day (ankle).Nets: Noah Clowney: day to day (ankle), Nic Claxton: day to day (hip), Michael Porter Jr.: day to day (knee).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Wednesday's game will be the third that Wade has missed with a sprained left ankle. Jaylon Tyson has served as the fifth starter and should continue to do so until Evan Mobley (calf) is cleared to play.

Washington Wizards (14-38, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-21, fourth in the Eastern Conference)Cleveland; Wednesday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Cleveland seeks to keep its four-game win streak going when the Cavaliers take on Washington.The Cavaliers are 19-13 in Eastern Conference games. Cleveland scores 119.6 points and has outscored opponents by 3.6 points per game.The Wizards are 9-22 in Eastern Conference play. Washington is 2-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.The Cavaliers score 119.6 points per game, 3.2 fewer points than the 122.8 the Wizards give up. The Wizards average 112.1 points per game, 3.9 fewer than the 116.0 the Cavaliers give up to opponents.The two teams play for the third time this season. The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 130-126 in their last meeting on Dec. 13. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 48 points, and Bub Carrington led the Wizards with 27 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 29 points, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen is averaging 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over the past 10 games.Kyshawn George is averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Wizards. Will Riley is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 9-1, averaging 119.7 points, 44.0 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points per game.Wizards: 4-6, averaging 110.4 points, 41.7 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 9.5 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.8 points.INJURIES: Cavaliers: Max Strus: out (foot), Tyrese Proctor: day to day (illness), Evan Mobley: out (calf), Dean Wade: out (ankle), Jaylon Tyson: day to day (ankle).Wizards: Anthony Davis: out for season (finger), Jaden Hardy: day to day (not injury related), Kyshawn George: day to day (ankle), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Anthony Gill: day to day (hand), D'Angelo Russell: day to day (illness), Tre Johnson: day to day (ankle), Trae Young: out (knee).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cleveland Cavaliers (31-21, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (12-41, 15th in the Western Conference)Sacramento, California; Saturday, 10 p.m. ESTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cavaliers -12; over/under is 233.5BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento plays Cleveland looking to stop its five-game home skid.The Kings are 9-18 in home games. Sacramento has a 3-4 record in one-possession games.The Cavaliers are 14-10 on the road. Cleveland is second in the Eastern Conference scoring 119.4 points per game and is shooting 47.4%.The Kings average 10.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.5 fewer makes per game than the Cavaliers give up (13.9). The Cavaliers average 119.4 points per game, 1.0 fewer than the 120.4 the Kings give up to opponents.The teams meet for the second time this season. The Cavaliers won 123-118 in the last matchup on Jan. 24.TOP PERFORMERS: DeMar DeRozan is averaging 19 points and 3.9 assists for the Kings. Malik Monk is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.Donovan Mitchell is scoring 28.8 points per game with 4.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Cavaliers. Jaylon Tyson is averaging 18.8 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 53.8% over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 0-10, averaging 109.9 points, 43.2 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 6.5 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points per game.Cavaliers: 8-2, averaging 116.7 points, 45.9 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points.INJURIES: Kings: Domantas Sabonis: day to day (back), Keegan Murray: out (ankle), De'Andre Hunter: day to day (eye).Cavaliers: Max Strus: out (foot), Evan Mobley: out (calf), Dean Wade: day to day (ankle), James Harden: day to day (personal).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.