Jarrett Allen scored a career-high 40 points and pulled down 17 rebounds to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 130-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, handing Portland its fifth straight loss.
Sam Merrill added 22 points, including six 3-pointers, as Cleveland bounced back from a Friday loss to the Phoenix Suns that ended a five-game winning streak. Allen also chipped in five assists and four blocks.
Caleb Love led Portland with 21 points, but the Blazers struggled without top scorer Deni Avdija, who sat out with a lower back strain. Portland closed to 106-96 with 7:32 left in the fourth, but Cleveland responded with Merrill’s 3-pointer to push the lead to 118-104, prompting many fans to head for the exits.
The game came just after both teams made trade deadline moves. Cleveland acquired guards Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder in a three-team deal that sent forward De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento, while Portland added forward Vit Krejci from Atlanta in exchange for injured center Duop Reath and draft picks.
Cleveland jumped out to an early 11-point lead, but Love kept Portland close, pulling them to 43-41 with five minutes left in the first half. The Cavs led 57-48 at halftime and extended their advantage in the third, with Dean Wade hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 66-52.
Blake Wesley made his season debut for Portland after foot surgery, entering the game in the first quarter.
Up next:
Cleveland visits the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, and Portland hosts Phoenix on Tuesday.
