The Portland Trail Blazers delivered a statement performance on Wednesday night, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-110 in Cleveland to end a frustrating three-game losing streak. The victory marked a crucial turnaround for Portland, showcasing balanced scoring and efficient execution against one of the league's stronger teams.
A Balanced Offensive Attack
Deni Avdija led the charge for Portland with an impressive 27-point performance, adding 8 rebounds and 7 assists to anchor the Trail Blazers' offensive effort. The Israeli forward was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 16 of 17 attempts. Avdija's all-around game set the tone early, and Portland's depth proved to be the difference-maker on the night.
Coming off the bench,
Caleb Love and
Shaedon Sharpe each contributed 20 points, with Sharpe grabbing 9 rebounds to provide additional frontcourt support. The Trail Blazers' balanced attack was on full display, as six players reached double figures—a testament to their offensive versatility and ball movement.
Dominant Free-Throw Execution
One of Portland's most impressive statistical achievements was their
free-throw shooting, converting 34 of 39 attempts from the charity stripe. This efficiency at the line proved crucial in maintaining their lead down the stretch, particularly when Cleveland mounted a fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
The Trail Blazers also excelled from three-point range during the third quarter, going 6 of 10 from beyond the arc to extend their lead.
Toumani Camara was particularly hot, going 9 of 15 from three-point range over the last three games, including a crucial 10-point scoring run that helped seal the victory.
Mitchell's Stellar Performance Falls Short
Donovan Mitchell put on an offensive clinic for Cleveland, scoring a game-high 33 points in the losing effort. The Cavaliers' star guard has been in elite form this season, averaging 30.7 points per game—fourth in the NBA—and this marked his 13th game of 30 or more points.
Evan Mobley added 23 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, providing solid two-way play, but it wasn't enough to overcome Portland's balanced attack and superior free-throw shooting.
Cavaliers' Injury Woes
Cleveland's loss was compounded by the absence of key rotation players. The Cavaliers were
missing Jarrett Allen (finger strain),
Larry Nance Jr. (calf strain), and
Sam Merrill (hand sprain), which limited their depth and defensive flexibility. Despite these setbacks, the Cavaliers remained competitive throughout the contest.
The loss was particularly stinging for Cleveland, as it marked their
first defeat this season against a team with a losing record—a significant statistical anomaly for a team that had been performing well.
Fourth-Quarter Drama
Portland led by 10 at halftime and maintained that advantage into the fourth quarter before Cleveland mounted a comeback attempt. The Cavaliers went on a 13-4 run, with Mobley's three-pointer bringing them within 113-108 with just 2:37 remaining. However, Avdija responded with a crucial 12-foot turnaround jumper, and when Mobley missed on the next possession, Portland's lead proved insurmountable.
Season Implications
With the victory, the
Trail Blazers improved to 9-13 on the season, while the
Cavaliers fell to 13-10. Portland's win demonstrates their potential when their offense clicks, while Cleveland's loss—their fourth in their last five games—suggests some inconsistency despite their strong start to the season.
The Trail Blazers will look to build momentum as they travel to Detroit on Friday night, while the Cavaliers host San Antonio in their next matchup.
1.
Trail Blazers at Cavaliers Full Game Highlights - YouTube2.
Deni Avdija scores 27 points to help the Trail Blazers beat the Cavaliers 122-110 - CBS Sports3.
Portland Trail Blazers at Cleveland Cavaliers Highlights - YouTube
Sources
1. TRAIL BLAZERS at CAVALIERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS
2. Portland Trail Blazers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Live Score and Stats
3. Portland Trail Blazers at Cleveland Cavaliers Highlights - YouTube
