NBA games of the week, brought to you by the streaking Trail Blazers

NBA games of the week: Blazers can’t be stopped

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Portland Trail Blazers Guard Damian Lillard (0) and Portland Trail Blazers Guard CJ McCollum (3) look on during an NBA game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 30, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 2: LeBron James /

Thursday, Mar. 15: Cleveland at Portland, 10:00 p.m. ET

The first time these two teams played, Cleveland was legitimately a different team. It was Isaiah Thomas’ debut for the Cavaliers, and Jae Crowder, Kevin Love and Wade were still playing. Three are gone from the team and Love is nursing a fractured hand.

Still, despite the team, the story is the same. The Cavs remain one of the worst defensive teams in the league. No one can count them out in a seven-game series, and LeBron is right that no matter what team he faces, if he’s coming to your building for a Game 1, it won’t be easy.

Reporter: This could be a critical trip, [Cavs] could slip to 6th [seed] if things don't go right

LeBron: It doesn't matter to me if I'm a 6th seed, 3 seed, 2 seed, 8 seed...If I come into your building for a Game 1, it will be very challenging

(via @cavs) pic.twitter.com/rnlvzb5O7L
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 8, 2018

By the time the Cavs make it to Moda Center, they’ll be on the fifth game of a road trip, though they will face the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns before they fly up to Portland. Their offense can still blitz teams, but the problem will always remain the same. Can they score 140, while only giving up 139?

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