The Cleveland Cavaliers are seeking their third double-digit winning streak of the season as they face a Portland Trail Blazers team that will be without multiple key players. Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, who has been struggling with fatigue and injury concerns, will receive a rest day against the Blazers on Sunday. This marks Mitchell’s fourth absence this season, with more likely to come as part of the Cavaliers’ plan to get him healthy and rested for the playoffs.
The Cavaliers are coming off a hard-fought victory against Boston, in which Mitchell scored 41 points and set a season high. However, their upcoming schedule is daunting, with 16 games in just 30 days, including 10 on the road. Despite this challenging stretch, Cleveland remains atop the Eastern Conference standings, holding a seven-and-a-half game lead over Boston.
Mitchell’s absence will be particularly notable as he averages 24.3 points and 4.8 assists per game. The Blazers, meanwhile, are dealing with their own injury woes, with centers Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III ruled out, while starting wings Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant are questionable.
Source: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2025/03/cavs-resting-all-star-in-sundays-game-vs-portland-trailblazers.html