What To Expect In Final Trail Blazers-Cavs Regular Season Matchup

Cleveland looks to end its five-game homestand with a victory over Portland tonight.

In their last contest, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks in their final NBA In-Season Tournament game of the season, scoring a season-high 128 points.

Tonight, the Wine and Gold will wrap up a five-game homestand, as they host the Portland Trail Blazers.

Here are four things to expect in the second and final matchup between these two teams this regular season.

1. Dominant Cavaliers Defense

In their last matchup on November 15, the Cavaliers held the Trail Blazers to just 95 points on 37.4% shooting from the field.

Also, this past Tuesday night, the Wine and Gold racked up a season-high 12 blocks as a team, while holding Atlanta to the Cavaliers’ lowest opponent field-goal percentage of the season (34.7%).

2. Another Mobley Double-Double

Cleveland forward Evan Mobley had one of the best performances of his career this past Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old is tied for fourth in the NBA with 12 double-doubles so far this season, and has recorded a double-double in eight of the Cavaliers’ last nine games.

Nov 15, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) blocks a shot by Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the second half at Moda Center / © Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

3. A Different Portland Look

The last time Cleveland and Portland met this season, the Trail Blazers were without guard Malcolm Brogdon due to a hamstring injury.

Brogdon is having a productive season with Portland, averaging 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.

With the 30-year-old back in the fold, the Cavaliers’ defense will likely be facing a different-looking Trail Blazers offense.

4. A Tough Trail Blazers Passing Night

Portland ranks bottom-three in the NBA in assists per game (21.8, last) and turnovers per game (16.3, third-most).

With the Wine and Gold forcing just 12 Trail Blazers turnovers in their last meeting, look for Cleveland to have a more successful outing in terms of generating Portland miscues.