No Donovan Mitchell, no excuses for Cavs in road trip finale against Trail Blazers
The Cavs’ grueling road trip ends in Portland, but without Donovan Mitchell, they face a tough test. Can they bounce back, prove their consistency, and silence any doubts before heading home?
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Western Conference road trip has been nothing short of grueling. Long flights, late-night tip-offs, and a stretch of uninspired play have made for a rough journey, one that has left Cleveland battered, bruised, and searching for answers. Now, the Cavs have one final chance to salvage this trip before heading home, but it won’t be easy.
It’s no secret that extended road trips take a toll on teams, especially those traveling across time zones. The Cavs have felt the effects of this firsthand. Entering the final stop in Portland, they sit at 1-3 on this brutal trip, with losses to the LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and a shocking defeat to the Sacramento Kings. The lone bright spot? A dominant win over a struggling Utah Jazz team. But beating one of the worst teams in the league isn’t enough to silence the growing doubts surrounding Cleveland.
This road trip has exposed cracks in the foundation. The offense has been inconsistent, and the defense, once their calling card, has looked shaky at best. Worse, the energy and focus that defined their early-season dominance seem to have faded. The question now is simple: Can they regain their identity before the playoffs arrive?
Standing in their way are the Portland Trail Blazers, a scrappy team that has already shown Cleveland they won’t go down without a fight. Making matters even tougher? The Cavs will be without their superstar guard Donovan Mitchell, who will sit out due to groin injury management.
Still, if Cleveland is serious about its championship aspirations, this is a game it must win, especially when the Cavs have struggled throughout this Western Conference road trip.
