Cavs Stumble, Pelicans Stand Pat on Murphy, Thunder Short-Handed Again
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The Cleveland Cavaliers followed Monday’s morale-boosting victory over Indiana with a 122-110 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, dropping their record to 13-10. After the game, guard Donovan Mitchell acknowledged the club’s inconsistency while urging calm.
“Concern is a scary word to use with you guys,” Mitchell told reporters. “I don’t want to use it. It’s upsetting, but there’s room for growth … We have to play better.”
Cleveland has fallen in four of its last five outings and, at 13-10, sits well behind last season’s 64-18 pace.
Pelicans Unlikely to Move Trey Murphy III
Across the league, teams continue to check on Trey Murphy III, but sources told ClutchPoints the New Orleans Pelicans view the 23-year-old wing as part of their long-term core. Any trade talks would reportedly start with a package comparable to what Memphis gave up to extend Desmond Bane—multiple first-round picks, a veteran contract, and a promising young player—signaling New Orleans’ reluctance to make a deal.
Thunder Missing Key Defenders vs. Mavericks
The Oklahoma City Thunder will again be without Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Dort is sidelined for a second consecutive game because of a strained adductor; he had already missed five contests earlier this season with an upper-right trapezius strain. Caruso remains out with a quad contusion, his third straight absence.
Oklahoma City will rely on its depth as it looks to maintain its strong start.
Source: Hoops Wire
