The Cavaliers haven’t lost two straight games all season. They’ve followed up their first 7 losses this season with wins in the next game by an average of about 20 points per game. Following their 7th loss of the season, they beat Charlotte by 30. They just lost number 8 on Sunday vs. the Lakers. Could spell trouble for us, but I'm holding out hope that we can buck that trend! Cavs - 93 Trail Blazers - 98
IF the Blazers play as a team they can beat this Cavs squad. The Cavs second unit is non existant, and they only have Ben to contend with Oden and Joel. Foul trouble for Wallace, and Oden can explode. I might even start Joel to let Oden be fouless going into the second half tonight! Roy, LA will need solid games and Rudy needs to be lethal! Lebron will get his points, but I'm not banking on his team being this difference tonight. Portland 106 Clev 101 in OT
Tough call. With Ilgauskas out, Oden should have another big night. Roy's got to snap out of his mini-slump, but I'll go with: Blazers 101 Cavs 97
Tricky to judge this one. As has already been mentioned, the Cavs have never lost back-to-back games, but they are playing a good, young Blazers team with Ben Wallace not 100%, and missing Ilgauskas and Delonte West. This won't necessarily mean they can't win tonight, but I don't expect to see them dispatch of the Blazers they way they have done other teams following losses. It largely depends on how much LeBron can take over the game. I'll take a stab at a Cavs win, 93-86