Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio, left, dribbles round Portland Trail Blazers guard Gary Payton II in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
PORTLAND, Ore. — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 factors, Ricky Rubio performed in his first recreation since a knee harm greater than a 12 months in the past, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied within the fourth quarter to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 119-113 on Thursday evening.
Damian Lillard had a season-high 50 factors, however it wasn’t sufficient for the Blazers, who misplaced their fifth straight.
Jarrett Allen added 24 factors and 10 rebounds within the Cavaliers’ fifth win of their final seven video games.
Portland led by as many as 14 factors early within the recreation and had a 91-87 lead going into the ultimate quarter.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, proper, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, left, and guard Anfernee Simons, heart, in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Lillard’s 3-pointer from 29 toes put Portland up 102-97 with 7:11 left, however the Blazers could not maintain the lead. Jarrett Allen’s layup reduce the margin to 104-103 and Mitchell’s jumper gave the Cavs their first lead of the sport with 4:40 to go.
Anfernee Simons hit a 3-pointer to tie the rating, however Mitchell and Evan Mobley made consecutive baskets and the Cavaliers pulled away.
Rubio completed with 9 factors in 10 minutes. The 32-year-old tore his left anterior cruciate whereas driving to the basket at New Orleans on Dec. 28, 2021. He averaged 13.1 factors and 6.6 assists in 34 video games final season earlier than getting harm.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, proper, shoots subsequent to Cleveland Cavaliers ahead Kevin Love in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
The Cavaliers had listed him as questionable on the pregame harm report, however he got here in off the bench with 3:38 left within the first quarter.
“I’m simply being trustworthy, I don’t assume I’ve ever been round a man who has the spirit that Ricky has, that teammates simply need to be round and be part of. It’s extraordinarily distinctive,” Cavaliers coach B.J. Bickerstaff mentioned earlier than the sport. “There’s not a egocentric bone in his physique. Everything he does, he does simply to assist all people else.”
Lillard appeared to wrestle with a sore ankle early within the recreation. He remained on the ground, however at instances seemed to be in ache.
Despite that, Lillard had 25 factors within the opening half and Portland went into the break with a 58-51 lead.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, heart, dribbles between Portland Trail Blazers ahead Jerami Grant, left, and guard Damian Lillard in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Rubio’s 3-pointer acquired the Cavaliers inside 74-70 halfway by the third quarter. Jerami Grant answered with a 3 for the Blazers.
Story continues
Another Rubio 3-pointer closed the hole to 82-77 because the Cavs saved the margin at single digits.
Tip ins
Cavaliers: It was the second and closing assembly with the Blazers this season. Cleveland routed Portland 114-96 earlier this season.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, proper, shoots in entrance of Cleveland Cavaliers heart Jarrett Allen in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Trail Blazers: The crew introduced that Nassir Little has had on-court contact actions after a hip harm in December, however there is not any timeline for his return. Justise Winslow continues to enhance from a left ankle sprain, however will miss not less than the subsequent two weeks. … Lillard has 4 video games this season with 25 or extra first-half factors.
Up subsequent
Cavaliers: Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday evening.
Trail Blazers: Host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday evening.
This article initially appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Donovan Mitchell, Cavs rally previous Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
