Trail Blazers vs Cavaliers prediction NBA · Thursday, March 4
At a glance
The Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1) host the Portland Trail Blazers (3-0) on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 PM ET at Rocket Arena in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Cavaliers a 61% chance to win and projects a 115-118 score (Trail Blazers – Cavaliers), about 233 total points. This season, the Cavaliers are 3-0 at home and the Trail Blazers are 2-0 on the road. Since the start of the season: 3-1 for the Cavaliers and 3-0 for the Trail Blazers (current streaks: Cavaliers W3, Trail Blazers W3). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 30% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Chris Youngblood (Trail Blazers), Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers) and Meleek Thomas (Cavaliers). Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
The Cavaliers are favored, but the gap isn't huge. The model projects Cavaliers 118 – 115 Trail Blazers, a margin of about 3.6 points in favor of the Cavaliers and a total around 233 points. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring game. The Cavaliers will be without Meleek Thomas. The Trail Blazers will be without Chris Youngblood or Shaedon Sharpe. Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The Trail Blazers need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
PORCLE
Players to watch
Trail Blazers
Deni AvdijaF · #822.3pts / game
Ja MorantG · #16.3assists
Donovan ClinganC · #239.3reboundsCavaliers
Donovan MitchellG · #4524.8pts / game
James HardenG · #16.8assists
Evan MobleyC · #410.0reboundsRecent form
POR
110-98L
128-118W
124-83W128-120W
136-129CLE
132-116L
114-106W
125-121W
127-125 OTW
121-111
CLE
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| POR | CLE | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-0 | Record | 3-1 |
| 118.2 | Points scored / game | 119.6 |
| 114.7 | Points allowed / game | 116.0 |
| +3.0 | Adjusted margin / game | +3.0 |
| W3 | Current streak | W3 |
| 3-0 | Last 10 games | 3-1 |
| 2-0 road | Home / road record | 3-0 home |
| 42-40 (-0.3) | Last season | 52-30 (+4.1) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Trail Blazers
Injury report Cavaliers
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.