Post by DiamondThief on Nov 3, 2014 0:06:26 GMT -8
Cleveland Cavaliers
at
Portland Trail Blazers
What: Cleveland visits Portland for the lone time this season.
When: Sunday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Media: CSNNW, NBATV (TV); Rip City Radio 620 AM (radio).
Forum: To comment, please login or register.
The Blazers (1-2) swept the Cavaliers (1-1) last season, including a December 17 win in Cleveland on a Damian Lillard three pointer as time expired. However, this is a new Cavalier team with the additions of LeBron James and Kevin Love. The game also features two of the last three rookies of the year in Lillard and Cavs' point guard Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers dropped their season opener at home to the Knicks, but came back to defeat the Bulls in overtime on Halloween, 114-108. They have been idle since then. The Blazers fell in a heartbreaker at home to the Warriors on Nov. 2; a game in which they shot just over 40 percent from the field, yet outrebounded the visitors, 56-41.
Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao and Dion Waiters; Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge
Cleveland Cavaliers
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 23 LeBron James
PF - 0 Kevin Love
C - 17 Anderson Varejao
SG - 3 Dion Waiters
PG - 2 Kyrie Irving
RESERVES
G - 8 Matthew Dellavedova; 12 Joe Harris
F - 89 Lou Amundson; 1 James Jones; 31 Shawn Marion; 18 Mike Miller; 13 Tristan Thompson
C - 33 Brendan Haywood; 53 Alex Kirk
INJURIES
C - 33 Brendan Haywood (foot) - questionable
HEAD COACH
David Blatt
Portland Trail Blazers
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 42 Robin Lopez
SG - 2 Wesley Matthews
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Will Barton; 25 Steve Blake; 23 Allen Crabbe; 3 CJ McCollum
F - 18 Victor Claver; 41 Thomas Robinson; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 19 Joel Freeland; 35 Chris Kaman; 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURIES
G - 0 Damian Lillard (abdominal strain) - probable
C - 19 Joel Freeland (foot) - out
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
Angi's Take
The first thing we have to do is throw out last year's sweep out the window. As great as it was, this Cavaliers team has a completely different look with the additions of James, Love and Miller. James headlines a new big three after leading the Heat to two championships and four finals appearances over the past four seasons. Irving is among the best and most complete point guards in the league, and the Blazers will have all kinds of issues trying to defend him (they might want to put Matthews on him and Lillard on Waiters - just a thought). Aldridge and Love is a premiere NBA battle at power forward and James is a handful for any team. The biggest advantage the Blazers might have could be at center with the twin towers of Lopez and Kaman. Damian Lillard will have to increase his shooting percentage (8-31 over the past two games) if the Blazers are to have a chance. In order for the Blazers to secure the win, it will take a full team effort for a full 48 minutes.. Matchup to watch: Kevin Love vs. LaMarcus Aldridge.
OFFICIALS
Monty McCutchen, Kane Fitzgerald, Marat Kogut.
FEATURED TWEET
This comes from, one of our members, cleffnote, with some encouraging words for Batum after the Blazers loss to the Warriors.
EXTRA
Here is a look back on Damian's buzzer beater from Dec. 17 last season.
