The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight on a 129-110 romp, a game that never came close. If you want a summary of the action quarter by quarter, see our instant recap here. After doing this, here are ten observations of the victory
Winning Instinct
Just as they did against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, the Blazers lined up against a below average opponent and refused to play with them. Portland jumped into an initial lead, extended it and never let the Cavaliers rally. Cleveland and Orlando have something in common: they can’t score. This certainly helped Blazers to maintain double-digit margins. But Portland played with more than a lousy opponent this year. This new sheet of leaving opponents behind is a welcome sight.
Speed Factor
The Blazers are not the fastest team in the league, but Cleveland makes them look like sprinters. Portland had a speed advantage in almost every position and paid dividends. The Blazers entered the track and scored fouls … qualities that are lacking in many matches. It was nice to see the whistles go the way of Portland.
It was also nice to see Portland’s defense operating at its best, especially early in the game. This is an angle that few speak about. Some say Portland has a bad scam, others say it has bad defenders. Neither explanation is entirely satisfactory. What if the Portland plan is reasonably sound and its defenders adequate, but opponents have a speed / agility advantage in various positions that makes Blazers vulnerable, no matter what they decide or draw on paper?
The Long Ball
Portland pitch three more, on average, than 28 other teams in the league. Tonight, they didn’t … at least not when it counted. As soon as they removed Andre Drummond’s huge body from the path, the Blazers showed that they could attack the ledge, even in the half block. They tried lobs, opted for short-range jumpers and generally became uncomfortable inside. This was unusual and, perhaps, a glimmer of hope for a more balanced attack.
Lillard Pass
Every time you think Damian Lillard has shown you his winning repertoire, he uses another trick. The 9 assists that appear under his name in boxscore do not begin to tell the story. They were won in reduced minutes. After a certain point, he no longer needs to occupy the ball. BUT … Lillard put the victory in the freezer not by a goal, but by cutting an overly compromised defense. The Blazers were already ahead when Dame started working on her magic, but her sequence of passes in the second quarter helped push the lead from a good 11 after one to an unsurpassed 21 in half. He met Enes Kanter, Gary Trent, Jr. and anyone else who was open anywhere on the floor. It was a brilliant performance as a point guard.
Leading with the left arm
The push became a key part of Lillard’s offensive repertoire when he entered. When the defender gets up, Dame pushes back and the defender ends up sliding across the floor, waxing the wood with his shorts. The change was accepted by the referees, giving him a free pass to drive when needed. If Lillard was no longer helpless, that makes him infallible. Now he’s on the same level with a three-point slope for a foul on Dame Lexicon. #starpower
Kanter Smashes Drummond
It is not always that Enes Kanter is the fastest center on the ground. He was up for a mile tonight and he made the most of it. When Andre Drummond entered, Kanter ran across the floor. When anyone else played, Kanter threw weight on the paint and owned the glass. Kanter ended the game with 21 points and 13 rebounds, 7 of which were offensive. Drummond had 8 points, 5 bags and 4 fouls.
Gary Trent, Jr.: Difference Maker
Gary Trent Jr. led the Blazers with 26 points, despite attempting the team’s third highest number of kicks. The young sniper became a barometer for the Blazers. When he is playing well, they succeed. His brutal efficiency tonight (8-12 shots, 4-6 from a distance, 6-6 from the line) make him a must-have for a defense that was already having trouble holding on. The other players provide the base, but Trent, Jr. is the one who makes the difference now.
Big Times Three
Carmelo Anthony continued his game securing 24 points against the Philadelphia 76’ers last night with 23 points in 20 minutes against the Cavs. For those counting, this is their third consecutive 20+ point outing.
Harry Giles gets high
Harry Giles III has been looking more comfortable with his minutes in recent weeks. He is not an overwhelming presence, but he is always doing something. Tonight he had 10 rebounds and 2 assists in 20 minutes. He scored 4 fouls, reflecting a problem throughout his career. It looks like he is leaning towards playing time now, getting on the track even more.
Anfernee Simons says goodbye
No one has benefited more from injury-inspired minutes – and the corresponding green light – than Anfernee Simons. Streak hit 4 out of 10 shots, all marks from the three-point arc. He added 4 free throws for 16 points in total. He scored only 1 assist in 30 minutes, but the campaign for him needs to be changed to guard minutes anyway. When he is confident, he is deadly.
Points Box
Blazers are now on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks at 4:30, Pacific this Sunday.