CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers, currently sitting at a record of 13-9, are set to kick off a three-game homestand against Western Conference rivals as they host the Portland Trail Blazers, who are struggling at 8-13. The matchup at Rocket Arena is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday night.
The Trail Blazers come into this game after a challenging loss to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, marking the second night of a back-to-back. Although positioned 10th in the Western Conference, Portland has faced difficulties on the shooting front, ranking second-worst in 3-point shooting efficiency and third-worst in overall field goal percentage. However, they possess strengths that could pose challenges for Cleveland’s defense, as they rank third in pace and second in offensive rebounding percentage. These metrics could expose vulnerabilities in the Cavs’ transition defense and lead to second-chance opportunities, testing Cleveland’s defensive rotations and communication, which currently ranks 10th in defensive efficiency.
Fans eager to catch the game can check the Cavs’ game-by-game TV schedule for viewing options.
Key details for the matchup include:
– Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
– Series: This will be the first of two meetings in the regular season.
– Venue: Rocket Arena
– Start Time: 7 p.m. ET
– Point Spread: Cavaliers favored by 10.5; Over/Under set at 238.5
– Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio
In terms of player availability, the injury report includes several notable absences for Cleveland, with Lonzo Ball listed as probable due to illness, while Jarrett Allen (right third finger strain), Chris Livingston, Sam Merrill (right hand sprain), Larry Nance Jr. (right calf strain), and Max Strus (surgery on left foot) are confirmed out. The Trail Blazers have not yet submitted their injury report following their recent game.
With both teams facing their own challenges, the Cavs will look to capitalize on Portland’s weaknesses while fortifying their defense, creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere for fans.