LaMarcus Aldridge impresses again as Portland Trail Blazers thump Cleveland Cavaliers: NBA Recap
The Portland Trail Blazers secured a thumping 98 – 78 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Rose Garden tonight.
The Trail Blazers were always going to prove too much for Cleveland and after some early resistance; the Cavaliers fell apart, allowing Portland to romp through the game.
LaMarcus Aldridge was on fire for the Trail Blazers, top scoring in the game with 28 points along with 8 rebounds. Wesley Matthews scored 24 and Gerald Wallace impressed with 16 and 6 rebounds.
Rookie sensation Kyrie Irving was the only bright light for the Cavs on an otherwise unremarkable night. The point guard scored 21 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. Only two other Cleveland players, Omri Casspi
and Tristan Thompson, got into double figures.
The game started off on an even note, with both sides matching each other in a slow paced affair. The scores remained close and the quarter ended at 18 – 17 to the Trail Blazers.
Portland began the 2nd period on a 6 – 2 run, which was a sign of things to come. The Cavaliers hit back immediately with a 9 – 2 burst that gave them the lead. Portland though scored 9 without reply later on to firmly
get a grip of the game. They ended the first half with an important 3-pointer to go in at 42 – 35.
Things would only get worse for the Cavs after the break as Portland continued to steadily increase their lead. The home side scored a total of 27 points in the third quarter against 22 by the opposition. Cleveland did get to within
4 points of the Trail Blazers in the period only to see Portland blaze 12 points without answer.
The final quarter started with the Trail Blazers ahead at 69 – 57. Cleveland weren’t able to close the gap on any occasion and a 9 – 0 burst by Portland around the half way mark proved to be the final nail in their coffin. The
lead was only going to increase as time went by and the match ended with a 20 point margin to the Trail Blazers at 98 – 78.
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