By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 04:46 GMT, 26 March 2025 | Updated: 04:46 GMT, 26 March 2025
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Darius Garland had 27 points and eight assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 122-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Ty Jerome scored 25 points off the bench and Evan Mobley had 21 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
Portland´s Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe each had 18 points in the loss.
Cleveland (58-14) has a five-game lead over Boston for first place in the Eastern Conference with 10 games left to play.
Portland (32-41) is 3½ games behind Phoenix for 10th place in the Western Conference and the final spot in the play-in tournament.
The Cavaliers were without star guard Donovan Mitchell, who is managing a left groin injury.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Cavaliers: Coach Kenny Atkinson isn´t overly concerned with the Cavs owning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. His main goal is for his team to be healthy and hit their stride come playoff time. "If it´s the first seed, second seed, third seed, I don´t know. Maybe I should be putting more credence into that," Atkinson said. "But I do think there have been cases where teams have really tried to bust it and you know, really go for a seed, and I´m not sure that´s the right approach either."
Blazers: Toumani Camara has improved his 3-point shooting in his second season, jumping from 33.7% to 37.8% while taking nearly two more attempts per game. "Last year a lot of fives were guarding him and he took it very personal," Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. "That shot is legit and it´s real. We depend on that."
Jerome scored 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter to help the Cavaliers maintain their distance.
Cleveland outscored the Blazers 64-42 in the paint.
Cleveland hosts San Antonio on Thursday night. Portland visits Sacramento on Thursday night.
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome, right, reacts in front of Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) shoots in front of Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots in front of Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, left, shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus, left, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija dive for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) blocks a shot from Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)