The 4-3 Cleveland Cavaliers face their toughest test of the season thus far in facing the 5-2 Portland Trail Blazers. Based on their early season play, a number of analysts consider the Trail Blazers a possible "Cinderella team" in this lockout-shortened season. However, the Cavaliers have played well in all games against opponents not named the Toronto Raptors (more on this in a future article), taking a comparable Indiana Pacers squad to overtime. Here are some observations heading into tonight's game.
> Gerald Wallace: Wallace has averaged 20.6 points per game in 5 Blazers wins this season. In 2 losses, he scored only 1 point. While holding him scoreless is probably asking too much, Omri Casspi and Alonzo Gee are strong enough defenders to help keep him in check. It will be interesting to see how they cover him tonight.
> Raymond Felton: In looking to speed up their offensive play, Portland swapped former Cavalier Andre Miller for younger rising point guard Felton. The move has worked thus far, as players such as Wallace and Wesley Matthews play well in a faster pace. At the same time, Felton is not as good of a defender as Miller. In Friday night's loss to the Phoenix Suns, Felton struggled to guard Steve Nash. Look for Kyrie Irving and Ramon Sessions to attack the basket on Felton tonight.
> Blazers' Offense: As the Blazers have sped up their tempo this season, they tend to post up a player in the low post on the weak side and then have motion picks on the strong (right) side to generate ball movement. The Suns countered this on Friday night by double-teaming the post and covering the passing lanes. If the Cavs can stick with their defensive intensity tonight, they should be able to do the same. However, LaMarcus Aldridge will be a tough cover regardless. The Cavs may have to use up frontcourt fouls to slow him down.
> Cavaliers' Offense: As coach Byron Scott has said, the Cavaliers are at their best when they play aggressively on offense--which prevents the opposing defense from getting set. Portland plays a faster pace and has one of the best defensive frontcourts in basketball. With the day off yesterday, the Cavs should be ready to push the ball and run the floor. Doing so should work well in their favor.
> Gerald Wallace: Wallace has averaged 20.6 points per game in 5 Blazers wins this season. In 2 losses, he scored only 1 point. While holding him scoreless is probably asking too much, Omri Casspi and Alonzo Gee are strong enough defenders to help keep him in check. It will be interesting to see how they cover him tonight.
> Raymond Felton: In looking to speed up their offensive play, Portland swapped former Cavalier Andre Miller for younger rising point guard Felton. The move has worked thus far, as players such as Wallace and Wesley Matthews play well in a faster pace. At the same time, Felton is not as good of a defender as Miller. In Friday night's loss to the Phoenix Suns, Felton struggled to guard Steve Nash. Look for Kyrie Irving and Ramon Sessions to attack the basket on Felton tonight.
> Blazers' Offense: As the Blazers have sped up their tempo this season, they tend to post up a player in the low post on the weak side and then have motion picks on the strong (right) side to generate ball movement. The Suns countered this on Friday night by double-teaming the post and covering the passing lanes. If the Cavs can stick with their defensive intensity tonight, they should be able to do the same. However, LaMarcus Aldridge will be a tough cover regardless. The Cavs may have to use up frontcourt fouls to slow him down.
> Cavaliers' Offense: As coach Byron Scott has said, the Cavaliers are at their best when they play aggressively on offense--which prevents the opposing defense from getting set. Portland plays a faster pace and has one of the best defensive frontcourts in basketball. With the day off yesterday, the Cavs should be ready to push the ball and run the floor. Doing so should work well in their favor.