While I didn't anticipate the Cavs would struggle quite as much as they have lately, I very much thought that tonights matchup on national television would be between the two best teams in the East.
Instead it's basically the story of two seasons.
Boston overachieving after a crucial blow to start the year and Washington being on the opposite end of the spectrum looking like a contender one game and lottery bound the next.
Since losing Wall to knee surgery something strange has happened for Washington though.
They are finally playing with the kind of focus and effort you'd expect from a team that envisions itself as the best team the Eastern conference has to offer.
The things that have kept them from being in the conversation as being in the top tier now appear to be second nature.
Washington is moving the rock on offense, they're not killing themselves with careless turnovers and coupled with their improved shot selection they have been giving themselves more opportunities to make their effort defending in the half-court count.
Who knows whether that's going to be enough against a tough Boston team but if the past six games are any indication, at least we won't have to worry about their approach in what seems like the first back to back appearance on national television in a decade.
Go 'zards!
