NBA -- LeBron held scoreless in the second half of Blazers rout
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Nov 2014
CHICAGO -- Beating the Cleveland Cavaliers is never easy. but if the game's best player, LeBron James, goes scoreless in the second half, routing them wouldn't be heard, either.
That's exactly what the Portland Trail Blazers did on Tuesday night at the Moda Center, punish the visiting Cavs, 101-82, as James struggled with only 11 points and did not score in the final two quarters of play.
Kevin Love paced the Cavs with another customary double-double -- 22 points and 10 rebounds -- but ace point guard Kyrie Irving missed 14 of 17 field goals to finish with a sub-par effort of nine points and five helpers.
The Cavs made only 31 of 85 shots. They got out-rebounded, 48-41. They lost the assists battle, 21-18, and coughed up more turnovers, 14-12. It all added up to a 1-2 start in this young season.
"We have to understand what it takes to win. It's going to be a long process, man. There's been a lot of losing basketball around here for a few years. So, a lot of guys that are going to help us win ultimately haven't played a lot of meaningful basketball games in our league," a disappointed LeBron told ESPN after the rout.
While the Cavaliers were groping in the dark to find their rhythm, the Blazers clicked on all cylinders after a sluggish start that saw Cleveland race to a 34-31 lead after one quarter.
Damian Lillard spearheaded Portland's onslaught with 27 points and 7 dimes. Wes Matthews added 21 while 7-foot-center Robin Lopez pitched in 19 and six boards. LaMarcus Aldridge registered 16 as the Blazers made 37 of 75 field goals, including 8-of-25 from 3-point range.
After a plodding start to the season, the Blazers improved to 2-2 and will host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. The Cavs, meanwhile, hope to climb back to the .500 mark with a trip to Utah to face the Jazz. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Wes Matthews helped Portland bury the Cavs Tuesday night by scoring 21 in his team's 101-82 rout.
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