The Portland Trail Blazers delivered an inspiring bench game in a hard-fought matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at the Moda Center. Jabari Walker, Matisse Thybulle and Duop Reath combined to score 41 points, resulting in several points jumps over the course of the evening.
However, Cleveland’s starters had their way with the Blazers inside the lane. Between that and Donovan Mitchell’s scoring prowess, Portland’s bankstreaks barely kept the team afloat. They had no chance to shoot forward.
In the end, Portland couldn’t overcome the Cavaliers’ 60 paint points or their own 37.4% shooting rate. The Blazers lost 109-95. They now hold a season record of 3-8.
Mitchell led all scorers with 34 points, doubling Jerami Grant, Portland’s leading scorer, who had 17.
First quarter
The Blazers got off to a rough start, hitting just one of their first nine shots. The defense was opportunistic and effective at times, but no amount of defense could make up for the lack of points. At halftime, Portland trailed 17-8. They had no offensive rebounds. Cleveland’s defense largely had them under control.
On the same stretch, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley hit just about every shot they took. The Cavs overall shot 60% from the field and over 40% from beyond the arc. Portland’s perimeter defense was completely ineffective against Cleveland’s guards. It was a lot.
That was before the Cavs focused on Portland’s dribblers and started forcing turnovers from players they knew needed to take the ball because they lacked alternatives. Portland always had the option to kick it out for a three-pointer, but you know how it goes.
Portland’s subs forced a few turnovers for run-outs in the final 3:30 minutes of the first game, which made the score look much more respectable. Otherwise, they never really managed to stop the Cavs. The scoreboard read 30-25, Cleveland after one.
Second quarter
The second unit continued the second period right where it left off in the first, forcing turnovers and running out. Two easy throws almost immediately brought the Blazers back to 1:30:29. Matisse Thybulle, playing his best game of the season, scored a three-pointer a minute later to tie the game at 32. Losses of the ball became the engine that accelerated the offense. The appearance was significantly better. The Blazers would eventually build a 4 point lead.
However, Caris LeVert came back strong and pounded Portland’s bench like they were, well, reserves. LaVert prevailed on both ends and kept his team in the lead despite the Blazers’ rush.
As the quarter wore on, the Blazers slowed down, stopped forcing turnovers and started committing them instead. They gave up offensive boards that they could ill afford. Three minutes after Portland tied the game, the Cavaliers had a double-digit lead again.
Shaedon Sharpe wanted to take over the action midway through the quarter. He had a somewhat pleasant impact on defense, but Cleveland sensed his ball dominance on offense and began to close in. Sharpe’s attack was halted before it even began, keeping the Blazers from making a serious run.
Jabari Walker hit several long-range shots during this period. He also pushed hard as halftime approached. Cleveland still led 55-47 at halftime.
Third quarter
The pace became a little more hectic at the start of the third period, but that didn’t help the Blazers catch up. Her vaccination chart looked like chickenpox had infected the hardwood. They missed 8 of their first 10 shots, an eerie echo of the start of the game.
Cleveland, on the other hand, treated the restricted area like an all-you-can-eat buffet, hitting half a dozen at the rim in the first five minutes. When Georges Niang hit a straight-up three-pointer with 5:39 left, the Cavs were leading 67-53 and it was time for a timeout.
However, the Blazers went on another big run to end the period. The threesome was good for them, Thybulle, Walker and Duop Reath all scored. Through their long-range shooting, the Blazers extended their lead to 6 within the final 90 seconds. At the end of the third period, Cleveland was ahead 83-75.
Fourth quarter
Matisse Thybulle scored twice in the opening seconds of the fourth period, once on a dunk when the Cavaliers outplayed Shaedon Sharpe and again on a breakaway after a Sharpe interference. Despite a few opportunistic stands, the Blazers couldn’t stop the Cavaliers at all. Portland’s four in the restricted area were overwhelmed by Cleveland’s eight. Adrenaline levels were surging, with the Cavs’ lead right there. Donovan Mitchell hit a three-pointer with 8:25 left to give Cleveland a 99-81 lead. It was time for the Trail Blazers starters to get back in the game.
If you think the story has a happy ending, you haven’t read much of the summary beforehand. Cleveland handled Portland’s first session at the end of the fourth quarter as easily as it had in any other quarter. The starters couldn’t stop Mitchell, never plugged the gap in the lane and couldn’t generate enough turnovers or offensive rebounds to make up for it. The game ended with a whimper, despite the heroic efforts of Portland’s bench.
Next
Stay tuned for more detailed analysis coming soon.
Box score
The Blazers host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in the Pacific. This is the third qualifying game for the NBA in-season tournament for both teams.
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