Trail Blazers vs Cavaliers Prediction, Odds & Game Preview 3/25/2025

Fresh off snapping their four-game losing streak with a dominant win over Utah, the Cleveland Cavaliers bring their league-leading offense to Portland where they'll face a Trail Blazers squad fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The matchup presents a stark contrast between the East-leading Cavs, who boast the NBA's highest offensive rating and deadly three-point shooting, and a short-handed Blazers team that will be missing key pieces Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams while potentially playing without Jerami Grant.

The last time these teams met produced fireworks in Cleveland with a 133-129 overtime thriller going to the home team, setting up what could be another high-scoring affair as the Blazers host the Cavs at Moda Center.

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Portland Trail Blazers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers preview

The red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers are rolling into Portland's Moda Center with something to prove after snapping their four-game skid with a dominant win over Utah.

While the Cavs have been lighting up scoreboards with the NBA's best offense (122.3 points per game), it's their defensive resurgence that caught my eye in that Jazz game - holding Utah to just 36% shooting is no small feat.

Portland's young guns aren't going down without a fight though, having strung together an impressive four-game win streak before Boston cooled them off on Sunday.

The Blazers' injury woes continue to pile up - they'll be missing their defensive anchors Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams, which could spell trouble against Cleveland's dynamic offense.

Keep your eyes on Jarrett Allen, who's been a force for Cleveland lately - he dropped an efficient 18 points against Utah and could feast inside against Portland's depleted frontcourt.

The last time these teams met, Portland blew an 18-point lead before Cleveland escaped with a 133-129 overtime win, so there's definitely some unfinished business here.

Shaedon Sharpe's recent 23-point outburst against the Celtics shows he's ready to carry the offensive load for Portland, but he'll have his hands full against Cleveland's lockdown perimeter defense.

With the Blazers still clinging to playoff hopes - just 2.5 games out of the play-in spot - and Cleveland fighting for the NBA's best record, this cross-conference clash has all the makings of a compelling matchup.