CLEVELAND — When the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers on Monday night it felt like the team took a step in the right direction. They responded in a positive way to second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson calling out the lack of hunger in the team after a disappointing loss the night before.
Wednesday night felt like the group took two steps back during a 122-110 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
It was yet another example of one of the NBA’s most talented groups — even dealing with multiple injuries at the present time — failing to find any bit of consistency. After the effort and spirit were constant on Monday night, even through offensive lulls in the game, they vanished on Wednesday.
Cleveland’s perimeter defense was far below where it needs to be. The Blazers were able to get into the lane, seemingly at will, and either score or collect two free throws as a result of a foul. Portland scored 76 of its 122 points either in the paint or at the line. Add in the 14 3-pointers that the Blazers knocked down and the total is brought to 118 of the 122 points scored.
That’s far from a desired recipe for Cleveland’s defense.
