NBA Scores: Cavaliers Not Competitive In 111-70 Loss To Trail Blazers

Some days it is better to stay in bed. For the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thursday was one of those days. One day after beating the Sacramento Kings 97-93, the Cavaliers fell behind the Portland Trail Blazers 22-2 and were never really part of a 111-70 loss at the Rose Garden.

Perhaps the biggest news of the night happened after the game when the team held a closed-door meeting for over 30 minutes. The result, when head coach Byron Scott finally came to speak to the media, wasn’t a kind one for the beleaguered team.

“Our team is just so soft mentally its unbelievable,” he said.

Such has been a problem all season for a team searching for clues without LeBron James. Yea, even 8 months after taking his talents to South Beach, the Cavs still find themselves searching for clues on the floor. Thursday was a prime example.

The Blazers led 37-12 after the first quarter and 64-34 at halftime. Things looked like they were going to reach embarrassing levels when Portland scored the first 9 points of the 3rd quarter to take a 73-34 lead. As it was, Cleveland was outscored 25-11 in the 3rd quarter and trailed 89-45. The record-setting 58-point loss to the Lakers in December looked to be in reach.

Cleveland ‘rallied’, however, as Portland too its foot off the gas a bit, making the final score – a 41-point beatdown – look a little better.

The Cavaliers shot 35.6% from the field and managed just 6 assists. guard Baron Davis returned after leaving the team due to the death of his grandmother but played just 15 minutes before leaving the game with back spasms.

Ramon Sessions scored 14 points while Daniel Gibson added 12 for the Cavaliers. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points to go with 11 rebounds to lead Portland.

Cavs Experiencing Hangover Of Last Nights Win, Trailing 64-34

The Cavs tanked early tonight as Portland continued to pour on the score, up by 30 at halftime. Several games have been considered by Cavs fans to be ‘hard to watch’ but this one in particular falls under that category. Nine turnovers, a 30.8% shooting, a Portland 56.5% from the floor, a minus 14 rebound difference, and one total team assist have doomed the Cavs to another inevitable loss.

The Word Disastrous Considered An Understatement As Portland Leads 37-12

Cavalier starters came away with a grand total of 2 points in the first quarter, and Daniel Gibson led the team in points with 5, all from the free throw line. Yet Portland began the opening period on an unbelievable 21-0 run after Ramon Sessions knocked down a deep jumper from 17 feet. Forward Gerald Wallace dominated on the low block with 11 points, along with a couple of rebounds and assists. Once again, the Cavaliers offense was irrelevant, scoring belong the 20 point mark for the opening period.

Cavaliers Hope To Blaze Past Portland For Would-Be Second Straight Win

With only 16 games remaining, the Cavaliers are in a fight for the finish line. Their solid finish is what led to last nights 97-93 win over Sacramento, and the Cavs are looking for no less tonight against the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers have not won a game against the Cavs at home since January 17^th of 2007. Needless to say, the Cavs were a much different team back then.

Portland is getting a huge lift in its push for the Western Conference playoffs with the return of guard Brandon Roy. He may not be the Brandon Roy of old, with limited minutes and limited range, but his presence on the floor opens up holes for his teammates. Roy scored 21 points in just under 28 minutes in the Trailblazers win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

Roy has burned the Cavaliers in the past, averaging 22 points per game on the nose in seven games. In the past, he has wrecked havoc in the Cavs back court with more than one and a half steals per competition. With his return, a strong season by youngster Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge, and the acquirement of forward Gerald Wallace, Portland is feeling good about its future.

As for the Wine and Gold, they may get a returning effort from point guard Baron Davis, who left the team to attend to his family in Los Angeles. Guard Ramon Sessions and forward Luke Harangody will try repeat performances of last night, when they scored 20 and 15 points respectively.