Last year at this occasion, the LeBron directed Cavs had been on their way to the League's finest record for the 2nd consecutive year. A season afterwards, not having their star, the Cavs are on the edge of reaching a record of sadness. The sluggish Cavs hope their previous success versus the visiting Blazers will be a inspirational factor while attempting to prevent a League single year record 24th straight defeat Saturday evening.
Directed by LeBron, the Cavs ( 8 - 42 ) dropped thirty-seven regular - year contests the previous 2 years. With their ex- favorite prodigy now in South Beach, the Cavs already solidified a losing record with Friday's 112 - 105 defeat at the FedEx Forum vs. the Grizzlies.
Their 23rd consecutive loss since a 109 - 102 OT victory against the Knicks on December 18th tied the 1995 - 1996 Vancouver Grizzlies & 1997 - 1998 Nuggets for most straight defeats during a year. The Cavs are additionally on the edge of matching their own record of futility with 24 consecutive defeats established against the 1981 - 1982 & 1982 - 1983 seasons.
However the Cavs have been hampered by injuries injuries to starters Anderson Varejao who will be out for year having a torn ankle tendon, Mo Williams who has a strained hip injury & Daniel Gibson who has been out for personal reasons and also a quad contusion,, they have not been without effort while counting on a thrown together rotation within most of this rough span.
Cleveland came close to stopping their slide following Winning by 7 at half-time at the FedEx Forum vs. the Grizzlies. However, the Grizzlies put in thirteen consecutive points to start the 4th quarter to regain control.
Scott hopes his club can utilize Friday's close call as inspiration while the Cavs attempt for an 8th consecutive home court win & 7th consecutive overall versus the Blazers.
Granted, LeBron had been the back-bone of that success, however the Cavs might utilize anything positive to lean on while attempting to break their extended dry spell. Antawn Jamison, who'd nineteen points Friday, has put in 23.0 points his previous 3 matchups against the Blazers.
While the Trail Blazers ( 26 - 24 ) do not find themselves in as bad situation as the Cavs, they have dropped 4 of 5 to slide to 9th in the West.
Portland are trying to prevent being swept on a 3 game trek following dropping 100 - 87 at Conseco Fieldhouse vs. the Pacers on Friday, after Wednesday's defeat at the Pepsi Center vs. the Nuggets. The Trail Blazers put in 36.4 % versus the Pacers, which includes 5 of 20 from beyond the arc, & had been out-boarded 58 - 39.
The Blazers have put in 40.8 % & put in 87.0 points during the previous 5 matchups.
Having a knee injury Brandon Roy on the sidelines since December 17th and the Blazers miss their star. The Blazers have turned to experienced LaMarcus Aldridge to carry much of the workload. Aldridge is putting in a personal best 21 points, however has failed to put in a minimum of twenty during 4 of 5.
Portland has been kept to 86.3 Points per game within its 7 game slide at Quicken Loans vs. the Cavs.