Game Summary
The Wine & Gold will wrap up their three-game homestand tonight when they take on the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs for the first of two regular season matchups. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Cleveland (5-4) holds a 4-1 record over the last five games. Over that stretch, the Cavs are averaging 114.8 points on .492 shooting from the field, including .421 (56-133) from the three-point line, 26.0 assists and just 11.8 turnovers. They have scored at least 110 points in four of the last five contests.
Among the NBA’s Top 10 leaders, Cleveland ranks 3rd in three-point% (.397), 4th in scoring (106.7), 4th in FT% (.811), 4th in fast break points (15.8), 5th in turnovers (12.9) and 6th in points in the paint (44.9). The defense ranks 3rd in points off turnovers (20.0).
San Antonio (6-4) enters tonight's contest having won four of their last five games after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 100-75 on Monday.
The Spurs balanced scoring attack is led by point guard Tony Parker. Parker is one of two players averaging 15+ points and 5+ assists while shooting over 50% from the field, posting averages of 16.1 points and 5.3 helpers. He currently leads the league in three-point percentage (.667).
BROADCAST INFO
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN
Where to Watch | FSO Channel Listings
RADIO: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron) Cavaliers Radio Network
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Get everything you need to know about tonight's matchup. Game Notes
Probable Starters/Status Update*presented by Cleveland Clinic
Status Update: Matthew Dellavedova, (Left Knee MCL Sprain, Out), Shawn Marion, (Left Foot Contusion, Probable)
Spurs: PG - Tony Parker, SG - Danny Green, SF - Kawhi Leonard PF - Tim Duncan, C - Boris Diaw
Status Update: (Spurs) - Tiago Splitter, (Tightness Right Calf, Out), Marco Belinell, (Mild Strain, Right Groin, Out)
*Subject to change
Joe G's Three Keys
1. Keep in Touch – When the Spurs offense is rolling, it’s a thing of beauty, and they can take a team out of the game in a hurry. LeBron James called them “the Patriots of the NBA” -- a team that looks to deliver the knockout blow if they come across an unfocused opponent. The Cavaliers will have to bring a deeper intensity than they did on Monday night. LeBron knows as well as anyone how dangerous the Spurs can be; he’s 16-19 (.457) against San Antonio over his career. The only team he’s fared worse against during his NBA career is the team that just left town: the Denver Nuggets.
2. French Toast – Tony Parker is the Spurs’ “head of the snake” – as he goes, usually so goes San Antonio. On Monday night, Ty Lawson gave Cleveland fits (as Rajon Rondo did two nights earlier). The Cavaliers will need to find a way to slow down Parker, who already leads the Spurs in both scoring (16.1 ppg) and assists (5.3 apg). Cleveland has struggled defensively this year when allowing PG penetration. And the Spurs break down a defense better than anyone in the league.
3. Mr. Leonard – For all the (well-earned) praise for San Antonio’s Big Three of Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, small forward Kawhi Leonard is the man who represents the squad’s next generation. In six tries, Leonard has never lost to the Cavaliers. He’s averaged nearly 14 points a game and has shot 53 percent from the floor, including 46 percent from long-distance against the Wine and Gold. Cleveland must focus on the Big 3, but they’d better keep an eye on their heir apparent.
Head-to-Head Matchup
The Cavs trail the all-time series against the Spurs 29-56 (23-20 Home, 6-36 Road).
In the two teams last matchup this past March, Kyrie Irving recorded a game-high tying 24 points, including 3-6 (.500) from the three-point line, four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 39 minutes. Dion Waiters was the other 24 point scorer, going 11-18 (.611) shooting, including 2-3 (.667) from the three-point line, three assists and one block in 23 minutes off the bench.
Where to Catch the Action
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22 and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.
On Deck
After tonight’s game, the Wine & Gold head back out onto the road to take on the Wizards in Washington, D.C. on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. ET.