Portland Gets LeBron – Trailblazers vs. Cavaliers

The Trailblazers are making a strong case as an upset special in the cage Western Conference. But if they want to know just how possible the NBA Championship is for them in the NBA Futures, they’ll have to prove themselves against the reigning King of the NBA. Enter LeBron.

Brandon Roy, an extreme outside shot for NBA MVP has put up 24.4 points per game, and is becoming of the most feared clutch performers in the NBA. But just who can he rely on to stop LeBron? Roy will be released to contain the one and only Mo Williams, and while they may cancel each other, will the role players in Portland have enough to contain the wily Cavaliers?

The big matchup problem for the Blazers will be Zydrunas Iglauskas. While Aldridge/Oden is a fine center rotation for Portland, Big Z is a nightmare for young centers. He’s a veteran who has always displayed immense poise under pressure, and amounted big numbers in the paint. In the last five games alone, Big Z has put up 12.0 points and 7.6 boards and shuts down opposing big men.

NBA Betting Trends

-Portland is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games

-Portland is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against Cleveland

-Portland is 0-5 ATS when playing in Cleveland

-Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games

-Cleveland is 18-7 ATS in their last 25 games at home

-total has gone OVER in 4 of 6 when Portland plays in Cleveland

Cleveland is coming off a massive victory over the biggest threat to their reign in the East by pummeling the Magic 97-93. Overcoming teams with stiff shooting and strong scoring has been the forte of the Cavs as they average 103.2 points per game at home. And again I beg to discover who exactly on Portland can hope to contain LeBron?

Portland Trailblazers (43-25) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (54-13)

Thursday, March 19th — Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland — 8:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Cleveland -10 (187)

Portland played last night, beating Indiana by +10.0 points. Traveling on the road in to Cleveland in back-to-back games is going to wear down on even the best teams, especially when the Cavs have had two nights of rest and are pumping at full speed right now. Don’t bet against Cleveland at home as they make a statement against a Western Conference contender.

NBA Free Pick: Cleveland -10 (OVER)