Cavs blog by Bob Finnan

The Cavs are 7-0 after losses this season. Let's see how they come out in Portland on Wednesday.

In their 105-88 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, it was the first time the Cavs really missed 7-3 center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Z is not even on the trip. He stayed in Cleveland to start some court work. He's recovering from a sprained left ankle and a chipped bone in his ankle.

The Lakers outscored the Cavs by 14 points in the paint. The Cavs don't have a 7-footer on their active roster. The Lakers had two in their starting lineup (and another on the bench in Chris Mihm, who rarely sees the court).

Power forward Pau Gasol was particularly lethal with 22 points and 12 rebounds. He made 11 of 13 shots, and combined with center Andrew Bynum to make 17 of 23 attempts.

They exploited the Cavs in the paint.

Cavs center Anderson Varejao rebounded from a poor night against New Orleans last Friday to have 10 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks against the Lakers. Rookie J.J. Hickson also had a good night with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks.

It was the most lopsided loss of the season for the Cavs, who had a 5-game winning streak snapped against the Lakers. The Cavs are 11-2 against the West.

The struggles will likely continue in Portland. It will be the first time they've seen Greg Oden in the NBA.