Update: Deni Avdija (quad) is availalbe. Jerami Grant (knee) is out. • • • The Portland Trail Blazers caught a break leading up to their game Sunday afternoon at the Cleveland Cavaliers. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell will take the day off to rest.

Deni Avdija with 30 Points vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. Deni Avdija with 30 Points vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 03/02/2025. Playlist

The Cleveland Cavaliers showed a ton of heart and grit in their come-from-behind victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night. The Wine and Gold again demonstrated their determination on Sunday afternoon,

Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija (8) blocks Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

The standout performance was not enough to secure victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which beat the Portland Trail Blazers 133 to 129.

The Blazers’ trade for Deni Avdija keeps looking better as he continues to impact winning in multiple aspects. His 30-point triple-double is the latest proof.

Once the whistles stopped blowing, Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome cried foul. Upset with an inordinate number of personals called during Cleveland’s 133-129 overtime win against Portland on Sunday, Jerome didn’t hold back in criticizing the officiating crew and zeroed in on referee Natalie Sago.

Deni Avdija has continued to prove he has a place in Portland’s future. The Trail Blazers rebuild continues to improve, especially when Avdija’s triple-double is a sign of things to come.

In the final moments, Avdija had a chance to cap his historic night with a game-winning three-pointer, but the shot missed, sealing Portland’s defeat.

The Blazes led by as much as 18 in the third quarter but couldn't hold on, ending their four-game winning streak.

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in overtime thanks to a decisive triple by De'Andre Hunter