The Cleveland Cavaliers got back in the win column on Friday night with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers 114-101. It was the first of a six-game Western Conference swing and set a good tone for the rest of the trip, even with Portland being shorthanded without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum; after all, the Cavs have had their share of injuries, too.
Rajon Rondo made his first appearance in a Cavalier uniform after being traded here from the Los Angeles Lakers a week ago. He stepped in right away, added 11 points in the first half of the game, which was actually his season-high, and he provided that needed veteran and experienced play that the team was needing.
These young Cavaliers are now 22-17 on the season. They’ve already matched their win total from a year ago and they haven’t yet hit the halfway mark of the season. Their team ball style of play, sharing the ball, and getting everyone involved in the game was again on display throughout.
Darius Garland, the Cavs point guard, had a solid night going for 26 points, including five three-pointers and six assists. Cedi Osman, a key player for the Cavs that comes off the bench, had a very helpful late-game performance as he knocked down four three-pointers in the fourth quarter and helped keep the Trail Blazers hopes of mounting a late-game comeback at bay.
Six Cavs scored in double figures and again showed why the team is winning. They’ll continue their road trip with stops against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night and then a trip to the Sacramento Kings Monday evening. The team is now 3-5 in the last eight games since that six-game win streak. These next two matchups will be good tests again to see if the consistent efforts we saw on the floor Friday, will be able to be sustained.
Let’s dig a bit more into three big questions that we have regarding this squad, especially on this road trip and getting Rondo involved now that he’s playing after clearing COVID-19 health and safety protocols.