The Portland Trail BlazerAfter beating Philadelphia 118-114 on Thursday evening, you now have the chance to finish your home stand 3-0 in three games and beat Cleveland on Friday evening.
However, three times this season the Blazers have failed to end a road trip or homestand with a win in a very winable game, and each time they complained of missing out on that opportunity.
A win on Friday would send the Blazers (14-10) out on the streets with a 15-10 record. A loss would leave them at 14-11. Yes, this is just simple math, but it is far more desirable to play five games over 500 before playing six out of seven on the street than playing three games over 500.
Earlier this season, the Blazers embarked on a four-game trip around California where they sat 2-1 and had a chance to win 3-1 on the trip, before beating 123-122 two nights after their win lost in the Golden State (123) -98.
On January 25, the Blazers in Oklahoma City hosted the chance to switch to 10-6 before embarking on a six-game trip, but fell between 125 and 122. By the end of that six-game trip, the Blazers would have had a win can switch to 13: 9 in New York, but lost 110: 99 to return home at 12:10. That came a few days after the 121-105 victory in Philadelphia without Lillard.
“We want to finish it on a high note,” said Blazer security guard Damian Lillard of Friday’s game against Cleveland (10-16). “I think it’s a great opportunity for us before we start this trip. And we want to get out of here and have the kind of mentality we had tonight. “
The Blazers, who follow on Friday, will play six of their next seven games on the road, with stops at the Los Angeles Lakers (20-6), Denver (13-11) and Phoenix (15-9).
TRAIL BLAZERS VS. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS PREVIEW
What: Portland Trail Blazer (14-10) v Cleveland Cavaliers (10-16), 7pm, Friday.
Where: Moda Center.
TV Station: NBC Sports Northwest (in Portland: Comcast 37/737).
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM)
How to Watch Live Streams Online: You can watch this game live with your cable provider login or you can Watch the game live for FREE on FuboTV (Free trial period). If you already have a cable package, you can watch the game live NBC Sports NW with your cable provider’s credentials. There are a variety of other streaming options that you can try: www.nba.com/blazers/watch.
OPPORTUNITIES
Distribution: Blazer around 4.5 | Over / Under: 222
Moneyline: Blazer (-185) | Cavaliers (+165)
CONDITION OF THE CAVALIERS
The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost five games and lost nine of their last eleven games.
Lack of defense was a big problem. The Cavaliers are 22nd in the defensive standings (113.8) but have been far more terrible lately. During their last five losses, Cleveland allowed 124 points per game.
However, these games took place against strong offensive teams. Cleveland played the Los Angeles Clippers, two games against the Milwaukee Bucks, and street games in Phoenix and Denver. The Bucks lead the league in offensive rankings. The clippers come in second. Denver, third. The suns took 13th place.
Portland’s offensive ranking was 6th.
The Blazers’ defense has been an issue this season, but Cleveland’s offensive ranks 29th (105.7). The Cavaliers rank 28th in three percentage points (34.2) and generate 15.5 sales per game, the third highest in the NBA.
Cleveland’s fighting has continued despite the good play from guard Collin Sexton and center Andre Drummond.
Sexton is one of the best young guards in the league. He averages 22.7 points per game and shoots 42.7% on three. Drummond averages 17.9 points and 13.8 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game.
INJURIES
Blazer: G CJ Elleby (illness), status unknown. He missed Thursday’s game against Philadelphia. G CJ McCollum (left metatarsal fracture), C Jusuf Nurkic (right wrist fracture) and F / C Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture) were canceled.
Cavaliers: G Matthew Dellavedova (concussion), status unknown. F Kevin Love (load on the right calf) and F Larry Nance Jr. (fracture of the left hand) fail.
NEXT UP (Blazer schedule)
After finishing their homestand in three games against Cleveland, the Blazers will embark on a trip in three games starting Sunday in Dallas (11-14).
– Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @ AaronJFentress(Twitter), @ AaronJFentress (Instagram), @ AaronFentress (Facebook).
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