It might seem as if the Blazers would have considered an overtime loss at Cleveland on Thursday to be a moral victory.
After all, the East-leading Cavs are 31-1 on their home court this season, and the Blazers gave them everything they could handle. That they forced overtime was all the more impressive considering the Blazers were without injured starters LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum. But the Blazers didn't seem impressed at all.
"We're disappointed, man," center Joel Przybilla told the Oregonian. "Nobody in here is satisfied just being in that game. We should have had it."
The Blazers' disappointment over this loss is a good sign for coach Nate McMillan, a sign that his players believe they can win any game and aren't likely to become satisfied or complacent.
"We don't play to get close," McMillan told the Oregonian. "But we did give ourselves a shot. They played hard and gave themselves a chance, but we needed to execute down the stretch."
CAVALIERS 97, TRAIL BLAZERS 92 (OT): The Blazers tied the score in the closing seconds of regulation on two free throws by Brandon Roy. But the Cavs took charge in overtime, scoring the first five points.
Roy had 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Blazers. LeBron James had a slightly better night with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Cavs.
