Portland @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 25, 2019 ) Portland 123, Cleveland 110

A 53-win team a season ago, the Portland Trail Blazers are in danger of losing four straight games for the second time already in 2019-20. They'll try to avoid that fate when they carry a three-game slide into a Saturday night matchup with the host Cleveland Cavaliers.

After opening a six-game road trip with a win at San Antonio, Portland lost at Houston, New Orleans and Milwaukee while giving up an average of 128 points, although the squad took some comfort in finishing strong in a 137-129 setback against the Bucks on Thursday. "I thought we competed," guard CJ McCollum told reporters after scoring 37 points in the loss. "I thought we played hard. Obviously, we came up short. But I thought it was a step in the right direction." The Blazers could take another step in the right direction if star guard Damian Lillard (back) is able to return from a brief layoff Saturday, as is expected. The Cavaliers have lost six in a row and are coming off an embarrassing 143-101 setback at Dallas on Friday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS Ohio (Cleveland)

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (5-11): Carmelo Anthony is averaging 14 points while making 5-of-8 3-pointers in his first two games since signing with the team. "He's getting his sea legs after having that year off," McCollum said of Anthony. "Getting used to that movement, getting used to how the game is flowing." Forward Skal Labissiere notched his first double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a career-high five blocked shots in Thursday's loss.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (4-11): Kevin Love was held under 10 points for the first time this season while shooting 2-for-8 on Friday in Dallas. Darius Garland led the way offensively with 23 points and fellow guard Collin Sexton had 14, but they were at the point of attack for a defense that saw Dallas make 58 of its 100 shots. "We have to make sure we gets stops on defense, that's what killed us," Sexton told reporters. "They didn't make that many tough shots, they were just getting whatever they wanted."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Blazers C Hassan Whiteside (hip) missed the game in Milwaukee and is questionable for Saturday.

2. Cavaliers SF Cedi Osman scored a season-high 18 points Friday night and made 4-of-6 3-pointers after going 3-for-19 from long range over his previous seven games.

3. Lillard averaged 27 points and seven assists to help Portland take both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 115, Cavaliers 104