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!
This feels like a loss. TOs creeping in after protecting the ball super well the first half (2 TOs). Getting crushed on the glass.
Increase pace, move the ball more. Stick with it, I think the Blazers will crack.
Blazers outscrapping right now as JB always says
Jfc
Darius gotta shoot rhat
This feels bad
They’re called cost throws when you miss em.
Nice Spin, Lamar.
We gonna make a FT at some point?
nice swing swing and Stevens attack!
Practice your ft’s Mobe
Mobley looks winded
Lol Covington losing his mind
We really need Lauri to get back on track from 3.
Big Finnish.
GREAT PASS MOBLEY SAW THE DOUBLE TEAM!
GREAT ATTACK MOBLEY!
Give them hell JB
Good to.
Wow that was a JB rage to
The man is pissed!!!
Sloppy start Cavs
didn’t come out ready, gave up two rebounds.
FYI, my rums of choice are Goslings black seal and Stillwright out of Dayton. Both fantastic.
👌
What’s the preferred rum in Oz?
Bundaberg is big
Rondo currently on the floor practicing his 3 ball…
Someone needs to tell Zeller he needs to shave his head. He looks like the teams sixty year old accountant.
Ouch!
He’s a North Carolina Tar Heel so it’s OK make fun of him LMFAOOOOOOO
Yeah I get it. I am also well shaven, so he should pick up the razor.
LMFAO
I was going to roast him earlier but I didn’t want to jinx what I got left up there.
Bad earth Ferry. Who is good earth Tim Misney.
Lol
Windler seemingly starting to understand his role, play defense, rebound, and take open 3point shots without hesitating.
Great to see that JBs giving him a shot here. Seemed earlier this season like he was letting DW rot on the bench (and I’m not sure why).
I think JB wanted to establish the Cavs identity as a defense first ball club. Windler was tentative on both ends while Stevens was beasting for minutes and Cedi has been balling prior to covid.
It might be the dark and stormies talking, but you guys are seriously the best.
Hey, that’s my drink! Nice one Nate, and right back atchya
cheers Nate!!! hell yeah!
My daughter asked me earlier if I was blogging with my friends…. yeah I am. Love CtB. Watching the game wouldn’t be the same.
<3 love it WCC!!!
Commodore Perry is steering the ship down here.
This site always has a top-notch game thread.
Solid half. Up Double digits. Can’t complain.
that Rondo 3 was Jarrett’s fault, he had the advantage and didn’t attack the rim. Has to look for his shot.
Rondo’s not shy about shooting those 3s, huh?
He saw Rubio’s green light was like “hell yeah!!!” LMFAOOOOO
Theyll learn not to kick out to rondo like they do with garland and rubio
100% agree real easy fix
PnR worked against Cavs that time…
JA draws a cheapie on Serbian Elvis.
starting to wear down Nurkic!!! lets go!
Love it when a plan comes together
Big to big, baby.
MOBLEY STRONG WITH THE BALL GREAT PASS!!!
That guy tripped – wasn’t a flagrant. But hey, I’m cool with it.
Yeah. I’d be ticked if I were him too lol
damn that took forever, but take the result LMFAO
Exciting stuff.
Let’s look at those definitions again. Riveting.
Perfectly timed block. Cry more Powell.
Pump the breaks from 3 Rondo
MOBLEY WHAT A BLOCK!
Afro Samurai Soft Slam
I don’t expect Rondo to do what he’s doing right now every night, but you can see he’s going to be a steadying veteran presence like Rubio was which is what we ultimately really need.
The issue is gonna be the shootinf. Rubio was fearless.
yup, agreed… and Rubio’s jumper more trustworthy IMO
Windler might’ve turned a corner, great play earlier preventing a turnover, made a quick pass back to Lauri to prevent the steal. didn’t panic.
OFFENSIVE FLOW TO DG JA FLOB!!!!
DG-JA combo slam!!!
Disappointing 5 pt swing
rondo gets 20 + tonight
Keep pounding Nurkic, he’s the only guy keeping them in this
yup 100%, fight fire with fire
Someone’s HOT! DG oh my
DG RAINING THREES!!!!
Holy crap Garland!!!
DG STEPBACK FROM SEATTLE!!!!
Lauri kind of sleepwalking
DG TO WINDLER GREAT DEFENSE JA!
Great to see Dylan finally canning some
Please play Windy more…
he looks great tonight!!!
LAURI RUNS THE LANE!!! DG GREAET PASS!!!
I never say this, but these refs suck
DISRESPECTUL DEFENSE PORTLAND DG DONT PLAY THAT!!!
DG finding it.
WINDLER!!!!! GREAT DEFENSE AND PASS LAURI!
Great pass DG, set that play up
Nice, DG
DG BALL FAKE
Windy!
Nurkic is killing the Cavs
Nurkic is just so damn big. JA going to be black and blue by the end of this one.
Nurk had to work harrrrd for that. Great stuff Cavs.
LOVE WITH THE BIRD!
Fire Lauri into the sun this game.
Got him a biiiiiird!!!
Sideshow bob scores.