Cavaliers Seek Redemption Against Struggling Trail Blazers

The Cleveland Cavaliers aim to bounce back from a significant defeat as they face the Portland Trail Blazers on February 1, 2026. This matchup marks the second game of a five-game road trip for the Cavaliers, who recently saw their five-game winning streak come to a halt following a 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

In the game against Phoenix, the Cavaliers struggled mightily, trailing by as many as 33 points. They recorded a staggering 22 turnovers, with star guard Donovan Mitchell contributing eight of those miscues while scoring just 16 points. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly.”

Cleveland entered halftime only five points behind but faltered dramatically in the third quarter, allowing the Suns to score 45 points on an impressive 16-of-20 shooting performance, including 7 of 10 from beyond the arc. Despite some late-game adjustments that narrowed the gap, Atkinson acknowledged the Suns’ superiority, saying, “They were the better team. Played much better. We didn’t have it physically.”

Mitchell, who averaged 32.6 points during the Cavaliers’ winning streak, took only 12 shots against Phoenix. Meanwhile, De’Andre Hunter led the Cavaliers with a team-high 17 points. The absence of guard Darius Garland (due to a toe injury) and forward Evan Mobley (calf injury) further complicated Cleveland’s efforts.

Trail Blazers Struggle to Find Form

The Trail Blazers enter this matchup on a downward spiral, having lost four consecutive games, including three on the road. Their recent loss to the New York Knicks on January 31 ended with a score of 127-97, marking a disappointing finish to their eastern road trip. Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “We know we are way better than we presented these last few games.”

In the game against the Knicks, Shaedon Sharpe led Portland with 26 points, but the team struggled with ball control, committing 20 turnovers. Splitter commented on the team’s lack of focus, stating, “When you turn over the ball, you can’t just put your head down and not run back. That’s what we did.”

The performance of star player Deni Avdija has also raised concerns. He has been dealing with back issues and scored only 11 points on 4-for-14 shooting against New York, along with five rebounds and three assists. Splitter noted, “Deni’s not 100%. We have to figure out what we’re going to do with him.” Avdija’s season averages stand at 25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists, making his health a crucial factor for the Trail Blazers moving forward.

The outcome of this game is particularly significant for both teams. The Cavaliers are eager to regain their momentum, while the Trail Blazers seek to halt their losing streak. Their previous encounter this season resulted in a 122-110 victory for Portland, with Avdija scoring 27 points and Mitchell contributing 33 points in a losing effort for Cleveland.

As the Cavaliers and Trail Blazers prepare to meet, both teams are under pressure to deliver improved performances. The game promises to be a pivotal moment in their respective seasons as each seeks to turn their fortunes around.