Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 122-111 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. …
1. There wasn’t really a time when you thought the Cavs might lose. But it was close for a while. Then the Cavs turned up the defense when they had to have it most.
2. For the final 6-plus minutes, the poor Blazers couldn’t muster a single field goal. And it felt like every time the Cavs got a stop, they themselves would score a point. Or more.
3. So after losing four straight, the Cavs (58-14) have won two in a row. Now, the longest road swing of the season is dead. But the Cavaliers are every much alive, kicking, and setting more records. This time, it’s a franchise-best 28 road wins.
4. For some, that feat might not mean a whole lot. But I think about all the great players and teams that have called themselves Cavaliers over the past 55 years. This one will always be mentioned among them.
5. As for the game, well, pick your basketball savior. Darius Garland was fantastic at crunch time, and actually remarkable throughout, on his way to 27 points and a game-high eight assists. Donovan Mitchell sat out to rest. Garland made sure to help overcome the absence with some flat-out dazzling play.
6. He wasn’t alone. Ty Jerome frustrated the Blazers time and again with his typical slow-step trickery and nifty shooting (9-of-15) for 25 points in reserve. Evan Mobley went for 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and FOUR blocked shots.
7. So much could be said about so many guys, though. Sam Merrill started in place of Mitchell and scored 14 points, knocking down 4-of-6 threes. Jarrett Allen added 14 points himself and grabbed several clutch rebounds on his way to eight. De’Andre Hunter scored 11.
8. Then there was Isaac Okoro. All he did was change the course of the game via the intangibles — and mostly, his defense. Okoro was the perfect example of how everyone on the roster can make winning plays. It’s why it’s gotta be incredibly difficult to gameplan for the Cavs. They can beat you in a lot of ways.
9. Coach Kenny Atkinson to reporters: “They were making a lot of unexpected shots, I’d say, and we turned up the defense. (Okoro) was really the guy who led that defensive charge the last six minutes.”
10. The Blazers (32-41) probably won’t get to the postseason, but they gave it a quality run. Most people had them pegged for the NBA Draft lottery like three months ago. But they play hard and mostly smart under coach Chauncey Billups. They have a lot about which to be proud this season. Their time is coming.
11. Portland rookie center Donovan Clingan went for 18 points and 12 boards in one of his best games of the year. Wonder if he was motivated by his former UConn Huskies getting bounced from the NCAAs over the weekend? Second-year guard Scoot Henderson added 17. (He didn’t play college ball, so no tourney info for you there.)
12. Anyway, back to the Cavaliers. Finally, they are coming home — at least for a couple nights. They get the Spurs at Rocket Arena on Thursday. Then they have to go to Detroit on Friday to face J.B. Bickerstaff and the rising Pistons.
13. Atkinson with the final word on the trip: “We learned a lot about ourselves. But we’re a tired group. We need to get home, get in our own bed, get in our routine.”
14. He added that rebounding was an issue and showed that the Cavs were tired. “It seemed like even when we were (in position), they’d just jump over us and get it,” Atkinson said. “These last games on a long trip, the legs aren’t there, so you’ve just got to find a way.”
15. Finding a way? That is the Cavs’ specialty.
- Box Score | Cavs 122, Blazers 111
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Max Strus, though shooting was just a little off, only scoring 5 points in 27 minutes; BUT He ran his tail off & was in the right places most ALL the time on defense, interfering in the Trailblazer’s offense all the time. His passing, & his movement was often keeping the offense going in the right direction & his overall energy was really disrupting the Trailblazer’s a lot on both ends of the court.