The Cavs are looking forward to the weakest defence in the NBA!
The Portland Trail Blazers host the Cleveland Cavaliers next night starting at 04:00. The three-time Western Conference winners and the Cavs have also faced each other once this season. Last November’s game ended in a narrow home win for the Ohio basketballers.
On the other hand, they have had to wait almost nine years for success in “Stumptown”. Instead, they have lost no less than seven in a row since then. For the next edition of Portland against Cleveland on 07.01.2022, you can read a current NBA tip from today below.
Portland Trail Blazers – Statistics & current form
Portland head coach Chauncey Billups has been without Damian Lillard of late. “Logo Lillard” has been battling an abdominal injury and has been since the Olympics last summer.
Although this did not usually prevent him from shooting baskets, the discomfort has apparently worsened, which is why his use in the upcoming game against the Cavs is also in jeopardy.
For the team from the Northwest Division, this loss does not come at a good time, as the hospital is already prominently filled with players like McCollum or Zeller on the five. However, Anfernee Simons successfully stepped into the breach.
In the penultimate game against Atlanta, the shooting guard delivered a career-best 43 points, helping the 1977 champions to a decisive victory against the Hawks.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Statistics & current form
The Cavaliers also have some absentees on the roster, but at least Darius Garland is back on board. The point guard returns to the starting five on the penultimate day of play after missing four games due to a quarantine measure and immediately delivered another double-double with ten assists and 27 points.
Without Garland, Coach J. B. Bickerstaff’s squad had won only one of their four games, making it clear how important Garland is to the Central Division team.
Granted, other players were missing during that span, but the 21-year-old, averaging just under 20 points per game, has been hugely important to the Cuyahoga River Pros’ offense in particular.
Portland Trail Blazers – Cleveland Cavaliers Tip
The home side from Oregon have personnel worries and have only won one of their last six games. For the clash between the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers, the forecast also includes an away win.
Although the visitors have only slightly more convincing two wins in the review of the past six games and start a long six-game road trip with the encounter, they have more offensive power at their disposal again with the return of Darius Garland. In addition, rookie Evan Mobley is currently performing very consistently.
The centre was picked third in the last draft and has long since shown that this high ranking was completely justified. In his three games in the new year, he averaged 19 points and 8.3 rebounds, which means that he can now obviously go one better. Mobley is definitely well represented in the race for the “ROTY”.
Bwin offers betting odds of 1.50 on the duel between Portland and Cleveland.
