This game sees the 3-3 Portland Trailblazers take on the 5-2 Cleveland Cavaliers at The Quicken Loans Arena. <div align="center"><font color="#E04B38"> <u>Portland Trailblazers</u> C Jamaal Magloire PF Zach Randolph SF Ime Udoka SG Martell Webster PG Jarrett Jack </font> @ <font color="#B94056">C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Drew Gooden SF LeBron James SG Larry Hughes PG Eric Snow <u>Cleveland Cavaliers</u> </font></div> <u>Key Matcup</u> – PF – Zach Randolph v Drew Gooden v The pair of players have started this season strongly. Drew Gooden is averaging 14.2ppg to go along with 10.3rpg whilst Zach Randolph is averaging 27.3ppg and 10.3rpg. Gooden will have his work cut out against Randolph, though he is definitely capable of shutting Portland’s Power Forward down. The pair should provide an intense, powerful matchup, one which could, in fact, help determine the outcome of the game. [div=50%] <font color="#B94056"><u>Cavaliers’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Crash the boards. The Cavaliers are the best rebounding team in the NBA, so they should use this to their advantage. If they gain many offensive rebounds, they should increase their points tally with second chance points. This will be a key area to the game, and one in which the Cavs should come out as winners. [*]Play through LeBron James at all times. When LeBron has the ball, another man is likely to be open. If you have Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones on the floor at the same time, it could mean a lot of open, easy three point shots. [*]Try to keep the basketball away from Zach Randolph and force the Blazers to play around him rather than through him. Aside from Randolph, the Blazers have very few options, so the Cavs must take advantage of this and prevent him from getting the ball whenever possible. [/list] </font> [/div] <font color="#E04B38"><u>Trailblazers’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Contain LeBron James. This will be very difficult, considering the slightly lacklustre defense that Portland calls their own. Nevertheless, they must attempt to contain him, whether it be using fouls or just generally playing tough, hard defense. [*]Make life difficult for Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The big Lithuanian is having trouble this season, and tough defense is only going to make it harder for him. Whilst the Cavs can play without him firing on all cylinders, they are certainly better if he is. [*]Work the ball around, taking easy shots. The Cavaliers sometimes have problems rotating their defense, so it could lead to some wide open shots for Portland’s shooters. [/list] </font> <u>Prediction</u> Since LeBron James entered the League, the Cavaliers and the Trailblazers have met 6 times, with the Cavs winning 4 of these games. The total combined score is 576-540 in the Cavs’ favour. LeBron himself averages 24.6 rebounds, 9.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per contest against Portland. I expect another good night from him, and another solid performance and win from the Cavaliers. <font color="#E04B38">89</font>- <font color="#B94056">101</font> Current pick record: 3-4
Perhaps Ilgauskas won't play, due to the swelling on his finger as a result of the dislocations. Then I think the lineup will contain Anderson Varejao instead, but I could be wrong.
Should be a good game. Two of my favorite teams (with Portland being my favorite) playing one another. I fully expect the Cavs to win, but Blazers have suprised this year who knows. Its too bad Roy is out because he could have maybe played some D on Lebron even though he's a SG.
Wee ! 100-87. Hughes got injured. LeBron had a good game: 32 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, a block and 2 steals. Great 10-15 from the field, 50% from the 3pt line and 11-9 from the FT line. Randolph had another solid game from the Portland team. Our record is 6-2 now. Only Utah's 7-1 is better and Spurs have the same record as Cavs.
