Cavaliers fall behind early en route to 129-110 loss to Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. had 26 points and the Portland Trail Blazers handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their sixth straight loss with a 129-110 victory Friday night.

Carmelo Anthony added 23 points and Enes Kanter had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Blazers, who have won five of their last six games. Portland led by as many as 30 points in dominating the Cavaliers.

Collin Sexton had 25 points for Cleveland, which has lost eight of its last nine.

Cleveland was routed 133-95 by the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, a loss coach J.B. Bickerstaff called “embarrassing.” Over their previous five losses, Cleveland had allowed an average of 124 points per game.

Keep competing. Stay together. Figure it out.

J.B. Bickerstaff breaks down another lopsided loss against another playoff-caliber team.#BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/r5R4YQwToh

— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) February 13, 2021

The Blazers were playing the second of a back-to-back, following a 118-114 victory over Eastern Conference leader Philadelphia.

Jarrett Allen had started the last two games for Cleveland in place of Larry Nance Jr., who is out with a fractured left hand. But Taurean Prince started against the Blazers. Allen finished with 22 points off the bench.

.@_bigjayy_ filled up the stat sheet in the first half.#CavsBlazers | #BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/scC0Yegweq

— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) February 13, 2021

Portland jumped out to a 22-4 lead at the start, but the Cavaliers closed the gap to 34-23 by the end of the opening quarter.

The Blazers took a 65-45 lead on Anfernee Simons‘ 3-pointer late in the first half. Anthony, who has been hot the past two games, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer that put Portland up 73-52 at the break. He led all scorers with 16 points off the bench.

Trent made a 3-pointer that gave the Blazers an 85-61 lead and the rout was on. He finished the game with four 3s.

The Blazers lost Rodney Hood for the final quarter because of left foot soreness.

Damian Lillard, who was averaged 29.4 points a game, third best in the NBA, finished with 20 points before sitting out the final quarter.

TIP INS

Cavaliers: Kevin Love is traveling with the Cavaliers, but is still recovering from a calf strain and isn’t quite ready to join the team. “He’s making steps in the right direction. I would expect an update within the next week or so, but he’s headed in the right direction,” Bickerstaff said at shootaround.

Trail Blazers: Last year, the Blazers dropped their lone game against the Cavaliers. … Portland hit nearly 60% from the floor in the first half. The 21-point halftime lead was the Blazers’ largest of the season. … Kanter has 14 double-doubles this season.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Trail Blazers: play at the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.