The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to send the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. Even on the second night of a rugby player, the odds were stacked in Portland’s favor. Schedule and record were both better. Even injured, the Blazers can carry the firepower of Damian Lillard and Gary Trent, Jr.. The Cavaliers boast center Andre Drummond and a group of strangers. They walked out of the Moda center just as incognito as walking in, as the Blazers drove out their unlucky opponent 129-110.
Damian Lillard scored 20 with 9 strokes. Enes Kanter added 21 with 7 offensive setbacks. Gary Trent, Jr., scored 26 to lead the team. Carmelo Anthony gave the team an efficient 23.
First term
Trent, Jr., put the Blazers on the roll early and hit three free throws, then a conventional three-point game. It started with a whistle in Portland’s favor worthy of the Brazilian carnival. The Blazers jumped to a 14-4 lead, courtesy of dirty shots from drift and false. When Drummond picked up two errors and had to sit down, the Blazers also had a big advantage. The game became a rust. The Blazers led 15-16 for most of the quarter … without hitting a single three-pointer. The bench gave up a bit of the lead when the quarter closed, but Portland still led 34-23 after the first.
Second term
The defense slipped slightly when the second period began. Cleveland does not want to score. Portland knew it, but still allowed it. But the offense remained strong and the Cavs never really threatened. Carmelo Anthony continued his momentum from last night and struck off the posts with a variety of difficult moves. Trent, Jr., was money, no matter where he touched the ball. Anfernee Simons’ score made the match except unfair. The reserves kept the seat warm until Lillard checked in again. He stabbed the nets and slapped the teammates’ hands for help, leading almost every play. Cleveland had no answer for what was already going on, let alone Lillard. Dame had 8 assistants in the half and Portland led 73-52.
Third term
The Cavaliers came out with 3-4 minutes of live play to start the third, but tries from Trent, Jr. and Lillard extinguished the spark before it could catch fire. Even when teammates missed, Enes Kanter continued to wipe out attacking setbacks for easy setbacks. The third period ended with Portland going 100-77. The outcome from that point was a foregone conclusion.
It was another solid win by Portland against a team they would expect and whatever it was. It’s exactly the kind of victory that can keep them going through injuries, that can maintain a sense of growth and dignity while awaiting the return of CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, while on the NBA playoffs in 2021 on ‘ want to run a decent seed.
Stay tuned for our comprehensive summary with analysis, which will be available soon.
Goal scorer
The Blazers are now on their way to face the Dallas Mavericks in the Pacific at 4:30 this Sunday.