The Portland Trail Blazers would broadcast the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. Even on the second night from a back-to-back, the odds were stacked in Portland’s favor. Selection and record were both superior. Even when wounded, the Blazers could not get the firepower of Damian Lillard and Gary Trent, Jr. transfer. The Cavaliers had Andre Drummond’s center and a cast of strangers. They kept walking out of Moda Center incognito as much as walking in, while the Blazers put their hapless opponent on the run 129-110.
Damian Lillard scored 20 with 9 assists. Enes Kanter added 21 with 7 offensive rebounds. Gary Trent, Jr. scored 26 to lead the team. Carmelo Anthony gave the team an efficient 23.
First quarter
Trent, Jr. got the Blazers underway early and hit three free throws on an error and then a conventional three-point game. This started a parade of whistles in favor of Portland, worthy of the Brazilian Carnival. The Blazers jumped to a 14-4 lead, thanks to false shots from drives and fakes. When Drummond picked up two errors and had to sit down, the Blazers also had a measure advantage. The game was a defeat. The Blazers were ahead by 15-16 points for much of the quarter … and without hitting a single three-pointer. The bank got a bit of the lead when the quarter ended, but Portland still led 34-23 after the first.
Second quarter
The defense slipped slightly as the second period began. Cleveland only wants to score indoors. Portland knew that, but left them anyway. But the attack remained strong and the Cavs never really threatened. Carmelo Anthony continued his momentum from last night, hitting from the post with some tricky moves. Trent, Jr. was money no matter where he touched the ball. Scoring Anfernee Simons made the game almost unfair. The reserves kept the seat warm until Lillard checked back in. He set the nets on fire and hit the hands of teammates for assists, leading almost every game. Cleveland had no answer for what was already going on, let alone for Lillard. Dame had 8 assists at the half and Portland led 73-52 at the half.
Third quarter
The Cavaliers came out with 3-4 minutes of tough play to start the third, but three from Trent, Jr. and Lillard put out the spark before it could ignite. Even when teammates missed, Enes Kanter continued to ramp up offensive rebounds for easy putbacks. The third period ended with a 100-77 increase in Portland. The outcome of that point was a foregone conclusion.
This was another solid win for Portland against a team they expected to beat, and it did. It’s just the kind of victory that can keep them afloat through injury, while maintaining a sense of growth and dignity as they await the return of CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic as they strive for a run on a decent seed in the 2021 NBA. Playoffs.
Stay tuned for our comprehensive summary with analysis, available shortly.
Box score
The Blazers are now heading for the Dallas Mavericks next Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.