NBA schedule 2014: Cavaliers face test against Wizards

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers believe they're beginning to figure one another out. A four-game win streak has been followed by two losses in a row, but being clipped by the world champion San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday wasn't the end of the world.

The Cavs have been moving the ball, but continuing to do so will be tough against the Washington Wizards defense on Friday night. Randy Whittman's squad allows 100.3 points per 100 possessions and is coming off a 105-102 loss to the NBA's best offensive team, the Dallas Mavericks. For the most part this year, the Wizards (7-3) have taken care of the teams they're supposed to, having only lost to Miami and Toronto before Wednesday night. Whether Cleveland is one of those teams they're supposed to beat at this point in time remains to be seen.

There's enough intrigue between the matchups on the court, but there are also storylines off it. This summer, Washington guard Bradley Beal and Cleveland guard Dion Waiters went back-and-forth through the media about which team had the better backcourt. Beal debuted against Dallas and poured in 21 points after sitting out because of a wrist injury, but Waiters has been relegated to the bench in favor of small forward Shawn Marion. Eyes will be on Beal and Waiters when they match up.

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving played an instrumental role in Team USA' FIBA gold this summer, but Wizards guard John Wall might be feeling a little burned by the sight of Irving. Wall was cut from USA Basketball and afterward said he felt like that decision was predetermined before he was even invited to Team USA camp. Meanwhile, Irving became the star point guard for his college coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Perhaps a nationally televised game will allow Wall to vent in a different way than former Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas did years back.

Bucks vs. Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET

Milwaukee's 7-5 start might be a fluke. The Bucks have played only one top-10 offense and have mixed results against some of the league's worst teams so far. For that they are statistically one of the best defensive teams in the league. They get a real test Friday against the red hot Toronto Raptors, who are fresh off a win against the West's best, the Memphis Grizzlies. The game features a matchup you must watch: Giannis Antetokounmpo against DeMar DeRozan.

Bulls vs. Trail Blazers, 10:30 p.m. ET

Derrick Rose and now Kirk Hinrich are injured, leaving the point guard situation in question for the Bulls, reports the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson. The Bulls looked shorthanded without Pau Gasol and Rose on Thursday night in Sacramento, and it doesn't help they're lost six straight in Portland. The Blazers find themselves on a five-game winning streak and this year have been excellent on both ends of the floor. The odds are stacked again the Bulls.

Suns vs. Sixers, 7 p.m.

Magic vs. Hornets, 7 p.m.

Pistons vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m.

Celtics vs. Grizzlies, 8 p.m.

Spurs vs. Timberwolves, 8 p.m.

Nets vs. Thunder, 8 p.m.

Lakers vs. Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.

Pelicans vs. Nuggets, 9 p.m.

Jazz vs. Warriors, 10:30 p.m.