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The Cavs head west to take on the 24-23 San Antonio Spurs, who beat the Cavs 116-110 in Cleveland three weeks ago. Since then the Cavs have lost Nance and Allen but regained Love, Delly, and Prince. The Spurs seem to be the same team with no new injuries. CBS Sports listed Allen as a game time decision for the Heat game Saturday so he may be back tonight.
The Spurs have lost seven of their last nine games, the last two in overtime to Sacramento and Indy. They are tied for 8th place in the West so every win counts and they will not want to lose to the Cavs.
In the first game the Cavs had all kinds of problems on offense scoring only 66 points in the first three quarters and down by 15 going into the 4th. They put up 44 points in the fourth but it was garbage time points. The Spurs won that game easily. Here’s part of my post-game comments:
Keldon Johnson destroyed whoever guarded him with 23 points and 21 rebounds. That's Andre Drummond on his best day numbers. He's averaging 13.7 and 6.2. He's listed at 6'5", 210, and is the kind of strong, physical, aggressive wing that gives the Cavs fits. This guy is no Jaylen Brown or Zion Williamson but he's cut from the same cloth. He just bulled his way to the glass for an incredible 11 offensive rebounds in addition to 10 more on defense. The small, slight Cavaliers were unable to stop him from muscling his way to wherever he wanted to go. This has been a huge problem all year.
The Spurs had 17 [offensive rebounds] and won by 6 points. That's what lost the game, IMO - the Cavs inability to limit the Spurs to one shot….
The Spurs were just more physical, better shooters, and more experienced. Poeltl bullied Allen. Johnson bullied everybody.
Watching Johnson cut through the Cavs like butter for 21 rebounds, including 11 offensive, was discouraging. This guy is the same size as Okoro, a little lighter actually, yet he was unstoppable. As Austin Carr said, he just wanted it more. He brought an intensity the Cavs were unable or unwilling to match. He was the difference IMO. It’s inexcusable to allow a 6’5” small forward averaging 6.4 rebounds to haul down 21.
So tonight the Cavs will be aware of Johnson and I want to see what they do and how they adjust. Maybe they were too focused on DeRozan and underestimated Johnson, who was drafted right after Dylan Windler, IIRC.
The Spurs were 27-for-33 from the free throw line that game as the Cavs were unable to avoid fouling them. Without Allen and Nance tonight the Cavs will have their work cut out for them.
The Spurs are a solid, veteran team with balanced scoring. Ancient Rudy Gay came off the bench to chip in 10 points in 17 minutes.
Lamar Stevens had a nice game against the Spurs with 15 points and 11 boards in 17 minutes off the bench after Okoro got in foul trouble. We may see him tonight.
This game means a lot more to San Antonio than to the Cavs, and having lost seven of nine they desperately need a win. Having lost their last two games in OT and double OT they have to be frustrated. I’m expecting them to be focused and intense tonight. They’ll see the Cavs as a very beatable team, especially with Allen and Nance out, and a great opponent to get them back on the winning track.
My hope for this game is the Cavs don’t let the Spurs go to the line 33 times and they don’t let an average player like Johnson make them his bitch like last time. I also want to see more balanced scoring. Sexton and Garland scored 29 points each, but didn’t get much help. One thing about Love and Prince is they spread the floor more than Allen and Nance so that may help the offense.
The Spurs have lost seven of their last nine games, the last two in overtime to Sacramento and Indy. They are tied for 8th place in the West so every win counts and they will not want to lose to the Cavs.
In the first game the Cavs had all kinds of problems on offense scoring only 66 points in the first three quarters and down by 15 going into the 4th. They put up 44 points in the fourth but it was garbage time points. The Spurs won that game easily. Here’s part of my post-game comments:
Keldon Johnson destroyed whoever guarded him with 23 points and 21 rebounds. That's Andre Drummond on his best day numbers. He's averaging 13.7 and 6.2. He's listed at 6'5", 210, and is the kind of strong, physical, aggressive wing that gives the Cavs fits. This guy is no Jaylen Brown or Zion Williamson but he's cut from the same cloth. He just bulled his way to the glass for an incredible 11 offensive rebounds in addition to 10 more on defense. The small, slight Cavaliers were unable to stop him from muscling his way to wherever he wanted to go. This has been a huge problem all year.
The Spurs had 17 [offensive rebounds] and won by 6 points. That's what lost the game, IMO - the Cavs inability to limit the Spurs to one shot….
The Spurs were just more physical, better shooters, and more experienced. Poeltl bullied Allen. Johnson bullied everybody.
Watching Johnson cut through the Cavs like butter for 21 rebounds, including 11 offensive, was discouraging. This guy is the same size as Okoro, a little lighter actually, yet he was unstoppable. As Austin Carr said, he just wanted it more. He brought an intensity the Cavs were unable or unwilling to match. He was the difference IMO. It’s inexcusable to allow a 6’5” small forward averaging 6.4 rebounds to haul down 21.
So tonight the Cavs will be aware of Johnson and I want to see what they do and how they adjust. Maybe they were too focused on DeRozan and underestimated Johnson, who was drafted right after Dylan Windler, IIRC.
The Spurs were 27-for-33 from the free throw line that game as the Cavs were unable to avoid fouling them. Without Allen and Nance tonight the Cavs will have their work cut out for them.
The Spurs are a solid, veteran team with balanced scoring. Ancient Rudy Gay came off the bench to chip in 10 points in 17 minutes.
Lamar Stevens had a nice game against the Spurs with 15 points and 11 boards in 17 minutes off the bench after Okoro got in foul trouble. We may see him tonight.
This game means a lot more to San Antonio than to the Cavs, and having lost seven of nine they desperately need a win. Having lost their last two games in OT and double OT they have to be frustrated. I’m expecting them to be focused and intense tonight. They’ll see the Cavs as a very beatable team, especially with Allen and Nance out, and a great opponent to get them back on the winning track.
My hope for this game is the Cavs don’t let the Spurs go to the line 33 times and they don’t let an average player like Johnson make them his bitch like last time. I also want to see more balanced scoring. Sexton and Garland scored 29 points each, but didn’t get much help. One thing about Love and Prince is they spread the floor more than Allen and Nance so that may help the offense.
