PORTLAND, Ore — Can’t come to the great American Northwest without thinking of the best mascot in sports.
No offense to Moondog or Slider, but do you see them wielding a chainsaw like Timber Joey? After each Portland Timber goal, Joey cuts a slab from the “victory log” and presents it to the goal scorer.
In last season’s trip to the Rose Garden, the Trail Blazers were the chainsaw and the Cavaliers the wood in a 111-70 thrashing. Portland opened on a 33-4 run and cruised home. This venue has rarely been kind to the Cavaliers — they are 17-37 all-time here. And it’s here where the heart of the seven-game roadie truly begins. The next four opponents (Portland, Utah, Phoenix, L.A. Lakers) are a combined 15-3 at home. The Blazers are 4-0 at the Rose Garden and coming off an embarrassing nationally-televised road loss in Phoenix.
The Cavaliers elected not to have a morning shoot-around today after a lengthy practice at the Nike facility on Saturday. I think coach Byron Scott and GM Chris Grant want to see how their club, and certain individuals, respond to adversity. They are about to find out.
Blazers’ LeMarcus Aldridge is one of the league’s better power forwards and small forward Gerald Wallace is another dangerous threat when the mood strikes. Point guard Raymond Felton historically has played well against the Cavaliers.
The Cavs will want to get rookie Tristan Thompson going again. After a terrific start, he’s had back-to-back quiet games — going a combined 1-of-7 from the floor for three points and five rebounds. That’s not uncommon for a youngster, but the Cavs don’t want him to lose the momentum he’s gathered. Meanwhile, starting power forward Antawn Jamison has found his game offensively. He’s averaging 19 points (45.3 percent shooting) and 5.6 rebounds in the past five games.
What Scott has liked most about the team’s 4-3 record is the unity and chemistry its shown. Those qualities will be tested over the next six days.
Projected starters: Cavaliers – Irving, Parker, Casspi, Jamison, Varejao; Blazers – Felton, Matthews, Wallace, Aldridge, Camby.