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Cavs swallowed by familiar Portland sinkhole, lose 102-86 to Blazers
Author: Joe Vardon
Publication: Cleveland.com
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Cavs can't really blame Mother Nature for this two-game losing streak.
NBA schedulers? That's another matter.
Utah and Portland are two cities that, for whatever reason, swallow LeBron James' Cavs whole when they come to town. It happened again in Rip City Wednesday night, where the Blazers cruised past Cleveland 102-86.
Both the Cavs and Blazers had all sorts of trouble -- Portland even more so -- getting here Tuesday night and Wednesday morning because of the foot of snow that dumped onto the town. The Cavs at least got to sleep in Portland hotel rooms.
- CLICK HERE to read full story.
Cleveland Cavaliers' 3-point struggles and DeAndre Liggins' on-ball defense claims another: Fedor's five observations
Author: Chris Fedor
Publication: Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers don't seem to enjoy playing in Portland.
Over the last few years, the Moda Center has been the site of David Blatt's near-firing and LeBron James seemingly vanishing from the offense, prompting Blatt to say he wasn't OK with James' lack of involvement during a 19-point blowout loss two years ago.
Add Wednesday night's rout to the list, as head coach Tyronn Lue sent in the reserves with around seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
My colleague Joe Vardon documented Cleveland's travel issues, which might've played a part in the lackluster effort. But the Blazers dealt with the same -- perhaps even worse. And the Cavs are a no-excuse team.
- CLICK HERE to read full story.
Why the Cavs' plane diverted to Portland, and the Blazers continued to Seattle
Author: Joe Vardon
Publication: Cleveland.com
PORTLAND, Ore. -- When the Cavs' airplane touched down in the wee hours of Wednesday morning in snowy Portland, players and team staff didn't know where they were.
That's because when the plane's wheels lifted up in Salt Lake City, the aircraft was headed for Seattle. A snowstorm had essentially shut down Portland, where the Cavs wound up losing 102-86 to the Blazers anyway Wednesday evening, and Portland International Airport was closed.
"When we took off, I didn't think we were going to land in Portland," said Mark "Cobra" Cashman, the Cavs' director of team operations who handles all travel logistics. "My mind was on Seattle and how much stuff I had to take off the plane."
The final hours of Tuesday evening and stretching well into the day Wednesday was a harrowing time for both the Cavs and Blazers, who played in separate cities Tuesday night and struggled to get to Portland because of the weather.
- CLICK HERE to read full story.
More Daily Press Links:
- (1/12) Tyronn Lue said Kyrie Irving is out of rhythm; Irving says Cavs out of practice Cleveland.com
- (1/12) Cool-Shooting Cavs Drop Second Straight Cavs.com
- (1/12) Trail Blazers 102, Cavaliers 86: Cold Cavs burned by Blazers Akron Beacon Journal
- (1/12) Blazers 102, Cavs 86; Jason Lloyd's 20 thoughts on struggling shooters, lack of practice time Akron Beacon Journal
- (1/12) Cavaliers happy to arrive safely in Portland after massive snowstorm Akron Beacon Journal
- (1/12) Trail Blazers hand Cleveland Cavaliers second straight defeat, 102-86 News-Herald
- (1/12) Portland snowstorm leaves Cavs, Blazers scrambling to play game ESPN.com
- (1/12) Cavaliers players: Lack of practice contributing to recent slump ESPN.com