Live Thread: Cavs @ Trail Blazers
2022-01-07Good evening CtB!
It’s Friday night, and the Cavs have trekked across the country to the rain-drenched Pacific Northwest to take on the hobbled and desperate Portland Trail Blazers. This is a classic “trap” game for the Cavs, who are heavily favored against a struggling Blazers’ team. However, the Blazers still have a winning record at home this season (12-10). Their struggles have mainly been on the road. If the Cavs think they can sleepwalk their way through this game, they’ll have another thing coming. Fortunately, the character of the Cavs has been to play tough no matter the circumstances.
In a bit of good news, Cedi Osman, Dylan Windler, and Rajon Rondo are all projected to be available to play this game. The only absence outside of the obvious is Isaac Okoro. The Trail Blazers are without their dynamic back court duo, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The Blazers will also be missing former Cavalier and hometown son Larry Nance, Jr. One of the blessings in disguise for the Blazers with all of the injuries has been the emergence of Anfernee Simons, their prized guard from the 2018 NBA draft. He’s stepped up in the absence of Dame and will obviously be looking to make a statement against his matchup and contemporary, Darius Garland.
As for the game itself, the contrast between the two teams stands out on the defensive end of the court. By defensive rating, the Cavs are a top 3 defense in the NBA, while Portland is the worst defense in the NBA. Off the court, Portland’s offseason (and current season) was an unmitigated disaster with the hiring of Chauncey Billups as well as the subsequent firing of the guy who hired Billups, Neil Olshey. The looming question hanging around the Portland franchise is whether they tear it down and trade Dame and CJ, as well as who Jody Allen chooses to replace Olshey with. A truly sad ending to one of the more fun Western Conference competitors of recent memory.
Tip off is scheduled for 10:00PM ET, and will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes, GO CAVS!
DG looks a off so far.
Cedi too. out of rhythm.
DG needs to turn into a scorer tonight.
they’re shutting down DG’s passing completely.
Keep smashing Zeller and Nurkic has to come back on. Oh here he is.
Mobley blocks bad earth Ferry!
RONDO AND MOBLEY HAS THE BLAZERS IN HELL
Oof Rondo
Rondo playing like he has something to prove.
100%, this is his chance to cap his HOF resume
Pretty obvious Rondo came into this one wanting to make a good impression…
THERE’’S what I wanna see!!! Robdo lobbing to our bigs, scores & fouls will result!!!
The defense is fantastic the first quarter… Rondo gonna get Mobley to eat.
Rage on Rondo!
Rondo has gotten pretty good at those open threes the last few years…
Keep tiring Nurkic out and cavs should pull away down the stretch
the cavs need to sign Rubio AND Rondo.. the perfect R&R.. they need to be on this team for many years.. let them end their careers in CLE
We opened the game like crap, to be leading at the end of the quarter is a good sign. Oh and Rondo just completely owned the floor
Indeed
I expect a win this game. The test will be what his play looks like in two weeks
That was lame with 2.3 left
Mobes is such a great garbage man.
Great everything man…
one bad shot, but just created an easy shot for Mobley… activity on defense gonna make him stick.
Rondo >>> Pangos
Infinitely
PERFECT DEBUT BY RONDO LMFAOOOOo
Well if you’re going to leave him open like that…
You could feel the energy change the moment Rondo got on the floor.
100%
RONDO COMMUNICATION ON DEFENSE IS LEADERSHIP!!!
He’s barking out everything, telling Mobley to cover the perimeter, forced an airball.
Rondo is going to be lob happy playing with these guys…and might as well be…
WHAT A PASS RONDO, GREAT HANDS MOBLEY
OK. Liking what I’m seeing so far.
Agreed….
Rondo 2 assist, A rebound and a steal in first minute on the floor.
PLAYOFF RONDO LETS GOOOOOO
Nice recovery LM
Rondo assist machine is online….
Rondo a plus so far…
GREAT PASS RONDO LAURI AT THE RIM!!!
Rondo dime 2
Allen you beast!!!!
WHAT A FINISH JA! LMFAOO Love should’ve shot it though.
Nice board Rondo leads to a love triple
Rondo rebound and a dime
RONDO TO LOVE LETS GO
Let’s go Rondo!
JA LEARNED!!!! GOT INTO THE BALL!!!
Cavs just can’t hit a shot. Getting good looks.
agreed, sleepy/rusty.
Enter KLove!
Jarrett Allen not getting into the ball, bad defense.
WHAT A FINISH DG!!! WOW
Lauri is a turd sandwich tonight.
Nurkic is eating the Cavs front line up, bad matchup.
Our talls are kind of skinny. The guys with girth (Jonas, Nurk, Adams, etc) give us trouble.
Let’s see how rusty Cedi is…
Got to his spot there, just missed. Looks ok
Wow. That call was weak sauce.
Yeesh Laur. Cavs look like they’re ready for bed.
100% LMFAOOO 10 pm tip is late!!!
Need Delly in the locker room to brew up some coffee.
damn coffee sounds good LMFAOOOOO
Throwing his head back on the long three. Form an issue
Fortunately the blazers look like they’re already asleep
Cavaliers being cavalier with the ball… LMFAO
Steven’s going strong
NICE ATTACK STEVENS!
Indeed!
Mobley needs to turn and face instead of. Trying to back down nurkic
Yep
Surprised they didn’t give Nurkic the bailout foul there…
Stay down ogre
Mobley right hand in the scouting report, has to learn a shot fake counter.
Great hands Mobes!!
Nurkic getting deep and using his size.
Great D
WTF Lauri’s shot is messed up that was a bad miss on the FT
I think he needs a sports psychologist.
he needs something!
They’re leaving DG wide open. I hope they’ll regret that.
beautiful passing, easy look for lauri at the rim.
DG heat check, I like it, just missed.
Yep. All for him attacking.
Nurkic bully ball.
Like Mobley being aggressive, should’ve gone floater tho.
Stevens post up, needs to protect the ball.
good shot DG just missed.
No Dame, we need to win this.
And no CJ
Nasir Little another name to watch for the Blazers, didn’t include him but had a 30 point game last year, young guy only 21 i think.
have to be up at zero dark thirty, so will only catch a bit of this one. Road game, but one the Cavs need to win. Having Cedi back might be big.
you will be missed MikeO! but respect to handling your business!!!
Prime time for west coast cav. Go Cavs!
enjoy prime time WCC!
Prime lunch time west coast Australia!
niiiiiice