It was one of those nights in Cleveland where the air just felt a little heavy, and honestly, the Cleveland Cavaliers probably wish they could have a do-over. On December 3, 2025, the Portland Trail Blazers rolled into Rocket Arena and walked out with a 122–110 victory that left a lot of Cavs fans scratching their heads. You’ve seen Donovan Mitchell carry the team before, and he tried to do it again, but Portland’s youth movement was just a step faster.
Basically, the Blazers didn't play like a sub-.500 team that night.
The Deni Avdija Show
If you weren't watching closely, you might have missed just how dominant Deni Avdija was. He finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. That’s a monster line. He was drawing fouls like a seasoned vet, which is kinda frustrating if you’re rooting for Cleveland, but you have to respect the hustle. He only made five field goals! That’s wild. Most of his damage came from the charity stripe, where he was practically living all night.
Shaedon Sharpe added 20 points, showing off that vertical that makes him a walking highlight reel. He and Toumani Camara really made life difficult for Darius Garland. Camara, specifically, was like a blanket on defense. Garland couldn't find his rhythm, and when the Cavs' backcourt is out of sync, the whole offense starts to look a bit clunky.
Mitchell’s Lonely 33
Donovan Mitchell did Donovan Mitchell things. He dropped 33 points and grabbed 5 boards. He was attacking the rim, hitting tough contested jumpers, and generally looking like the All-Star he is. But he was mostly on an island. Evan Mobley chipped in 23 points and had some big defensive moments—including four blocks—but the support staff just wasn't there.
The Cavs tried a zone defense at one point to slow Portland down. It worked for maybe four possessions? Then the Blazers started flashing to the middle and cutting to the rim. Once Portland figured out the zone, Cleveland had to go back to man-to-man, and by then, the momentum had shifted for good.
Key Stats from the Dec 3 Matchup
- Final Score: Trail Blazers 122, Cavaliers 110
- Top Scorer (POR): Deni Avdija (27 pts)
- Top Scorer (CLE): Donovan Mitchell (33 pts)
- Rebound Leader: Shaedon Sharpe (9 reb)
- The Turning Point: A 10-point lead for Portland with just over a minute left after a Camara three-pointer.
Why This Game Felt Different
Usually, when the Cavs vs Trail Blazers last game comes up, people expect a Cleveland blowout. The Cavs were 13–10 heading into this one, while Portland was struggling at 8–13. On paper, it was a mismatch. But the NBA is weird. Portland was on the second night of a back-to-back, which usually means tired legs. Instead, they looked like the fresher team.
Sidy Sissoko had a couple of euro-step dunks that legitimately quieted the crowd. He even went right at Mobley on one of them. You don't see many rookies or young role players try that against a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. It was a gutsy performance from a Portland squad that many analysts have written off this season.
The Rookie Factor
Donovan Clingan, the Blazers' big man, had a scary moment with his left ankle. He’s been dealing with a nagging injury there for weeks. Despite the limp, he managed to put up 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in limited minutes. His presence in the paint is massive, even when he’s not scoring. He makes players think twice before driving, which is exactly what Portland needs.
On the other side, Jaylen Tyson showed some flashes for Cleveland. He had a nice floater in the second quarter that showed off his touch. But with the Cavs' depth being tested, they needed more than just flashes. They needed a sustained run that never quite materialized.
📖 Related: Alabama Georgia Football Game Score: What Really Happened In Atlanta
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most fans think the Blazers are just "tanking" or waiting for the lottery. Honestly, that's not what happened here. Portland showed a lot of grit. They out-rebounded Cleveland and won the battle in the paint. They also got a huge boost from Caleb Love, a two-way player who actually looked like he belonged. He stayed in front of his man and didn't let the Cavs' veteran guards bully him.
Cleveland's bench was outscored, and their transition defense was... well, it was lackluster. You can't give up 122 points at home and expect to win, especially when you're shooting as poorly as the Cavs were from deep.
Looking Ahead to Portland
The two teams meet again very soon. They’ll be facing off at the Moda Center in Portland on February 1, 2026. This is a chance for Cleveland to get some revenge. It’s also a chance for Portland to prove that the December win wasn't a fluke.
If the Cavs want to win the next one, they’ll need to:
- Limit Free Throws: They can't let Avdija or anyone else live at the line.
- Bench Production: The second unit needs to provide more than just a few buckets.
- Physicality: Mobley and Allen need to dominate the glass against Clingan and Reath.
Keep an eye on the injury report for the February rematch. If Clingan is healthy, the interior battle will be a lot tougher for Cleveland. If not, the Cavs should have a massive advantage inside. Either way, the "easy win" narrative is officially dead after what we saw in December.
📖 Related: Joe Montana Kansas City Chiefs: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Insights for Fans
Check the latest injury updates specifically for Evan Mobley and Donovan Clingan 24 hours before the February 1st game, as their availability completely changes the betting line and defensive schemes for both teams. Also, watch the first quarter scoring trends; the Blazers have been starting hot lately, while the Cavs often rely on a late third-quarter surge to close gaps.