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Blazers push past Cavaliers, 113-105, for 11th straight victory

By Matt George Moore

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 15: the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 15, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 15: the Portland Trail Blazers look on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 15, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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There was a love-slash-mutual-respect fest before the game between Damian Lillard and LeBron James. But it was all business once they took the court to face off for the final time this season — with the Blazers (42-26) beating the Cavaliers, 113-105.

Prior to the Cavs-Blazers game Thursday at the Moda Center, Cleveland’s LeBron James was asked what he thought of Portland’s Damian Lillard.

James didn’t mince words.

“That guy’s a superstar in our league and he’s showing it right now,” James said. “He’s leading the team (to) where I don’t think a lot of people thought they’d be at the beginning of the season.”

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Lillard told Blazers courtside reporter Brooke Olzendam that he appreciated the sentiment. Certainly, he respects and aspires to the success and championships that LBJ has amassed.

That quest continued Thursday at the Moda Center. Let’s get to the game.

FIRST HALF

Both teams were off to hot shooting starts, with the Blazers shooting 6-of-10 and the Cavs shooting 7-of-10.

This was pretty amazing, to be honest. King gonna King.

The Blazers and Cavaliers were tied after one, 29-29. The Blazers were displaying a sweet combination of defense (blocks by Jusuf Nurkic and Al-Farouq Aminu), sharp passing and — amazingly — a little fast break offense (or at least up-tempo play) here and there.

CJ McCollum picked up the pace in the second quarter, razzling and dazzling in and around the midrange. He would finish with 29 points on 12-of-24 shooting.

This game was the definition of a back-and-forth affair.

Nurkic was struggling in the first half, missing shots in close and committing silly fouls. Another learning experience in a season filled with them.

At the half, the Trail Blazers were up five, 59-54.

SECOND HALF

The Blazers matched their largest lead (nine points) early in the third quarter, 71-62, helped by an 8-0 run.

But LeBron was unstoppable, and he kept the Cavs relatively close.

James would finish with 35 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals.

This was bad.

But this was good.

Guess it was just that time …

Still, the Cavs tried to claw their way back, pulling within eight points, 81-73, on a Kyle Korver three. But at the end of three quarters, the Blazers were up by 11 points, 88-77.

The Blazers kept the Cavs at a distance throughout the fourth quarter. And by this point, Portland had a tremendous rebounding advantage (43-25).

Shabazz Napier also started to contribute in the fourth; he would finish with seven points.

Next: Evan Turner doesn’t care what you think of his contract

And yet Cleveland was able to pull within three points with 2:58 left in the game, thanks to a 14-2 Cavs run. But the Blazers were able to finish the Cavs off for their 11th consecutive win.

Final score: Blazers 113, Cavaliers 105

Next up for Portland: Saturday at the Moda Center against the Detroit Pistons.

Three Takeaways

No.1

Moe!

No. 2

Five players with double-digit scoring.

And No. 3

Evan Turner with the positive contributions.