Live Thread: Cavs @ Trail Blazers

Good 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!