Written by John Hnat

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Admit it, you didn't watch it. You probably didn't even realize the game was on. At most, the thought "hey, do the Cavs play tonight?" was a fleeting one through your brain, quickly lost among the Gonzagas and Villanovas and whoever it was who got rolled by UConns. Well, if you didn't watch it, you missed a good one, as the Cavs pulled out a 97-92 overtime win over the Trail Blazers last night at Quicken Loans Arena.

THE SUMMARY: 

Admit it, you didn't watch it.  You probably didn't even realize the game was on.  At most, the thought "hey, do the Cavs play tonight?" was a fleeting one through your brain, quickly lost among the Gonzagas and Villanovas and whoever it was who got rolled by UConns.   

And for a while - most of the game, actually - your thoughts would have been right on.  Both Cleveland and Portland struggled to score, and the game was like watching continental drift. 

But we'll take a grind-it-out win any day, right?  Fortunately, that's what the Cavs delivered, as they pulled out a 97-92 overtime win over the Trail Blazers last night at Quicken Loans Arena. 

Both teams came into this game at less than full strength.  Of course, the Cavs were without Ben Wallace (still recovering from his broken leg) and Wally Szczerbiak (who sprained his knee the other night against Orlando).  Portland was down two starters, having lost LaMarcus Aldridge (concussion) and Nicolas Batum (sprained ankle) earlier in the week. 

In the end, it was the LeBron James show.  James posted his seventh triple-double of the season, putting up 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists (all game highs).  Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 21 for the Cavs, who improved to 55-13 on the season.  Brandon Roy had a quiet first half, but ended up with 24 points to lead the Blazers. 

It's the NBA.  Where "nobody cares about this game because they're all seeing how they did in their NCAA brackets" happens. 
 

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE GAME: 

Taking Their Ball And Going Home:  In 53 minutes of action last night, the Cavs turned the ball over twice. 

Twice.   

With Sasha Pavlovic getting almost 24 minutes of run. 

The Boobie Meter:  For the first time in three games, Cavs guard Daniel (Boobie) Gibson saw the floor.  With his return, we also mark the return of the Boobie Meter, that favorite feature of male and alternatively-lifestyled female readers everywhere.  Last night, Gibson had a solid game - eight points, two of four from three-point range, a couple of rebounds, a nice assist to Joe Smith.  It wasn't a terrific game, but it was decent - and this season, we've been looking for any reason to praise Gibson's game.  Not that Gibson's line really mattered anyway - we're nothing if not timely here at the GBS, and we would have found any excuse to link to the lovely Natasha Richardson, who died in a tragic skiing accident earlier this week. 
 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE GAME: 

Let's Be Brief:  The first half, in which the Cavs shot 31% (13 of 42) and the Blazers shot 34% (13 of 38) from the field, was probably the ugliest half of basketball in the NBA this season.   

Enough said about that. 

O Brother Red, Where Art Thou?:  Delonte West simply does not belong on this side of the street.  He's a favorite of the GBS, and that's because of his deadly outside shooting and perimeter defense as much as his interviews. 

That's why it hurts me to put him here.  And I'll be gentle.  But 4-for-14 is not getting it done, Redz.   
 

WHAT LIES AHEAD: 

Atlanta (who is blazing hot, having won seven in a row) tomorrow at Quicken Loans Arena.  At New Jersey to take on the Nets on Sunday.  Home against those same Nets next Wednesday.  And then home against Minnesota a week from tonight.  The question is not whether the Cavs will get to 60 wins; it is whether they will get to 60 wins by the end of March.