**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**
Spurs bigger threat to Cavs’ title hopes than Warriors
Author: Jason Lloyd
Publication: Akron Beacon Journal
HOUSTON: The conference in which the Cavaliers reside has improved significantly, but the truth to which they clung through last season’s 19-20 start remains true today: They have time. Now it’s a matter of how they spend it.
While the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors both went to the whip the minute the gates to the season opened, the Cavaliers have no one in the East to push them. The East is vastly improved over last season, but all that has done is shrink the gap between 2 and 12. No one from the median has emerged as a true threat, and in fact the gulf between the Cavs and the rest of the East has widened this season despite the conference’s overall improvement.
Anything short of an NBA Finals appearance this year would be considered a disaster by NBA standards. The question now is who will they face: the Spurs or Warriors? For as good as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers have looked at times this season, anyone other than the Spurs or Warriors in the Finals would be an upset. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
Despite high-profile losses, Cavs quietly hitting stride
Author: Fran Blinebury
Publication: NBA.com
HOUSTON — Through the first half of the season, whatever applause and attention that hasn't been gobbled up by the laser light show of Stephen Curry and the defending champion Warriors, has mostly gone to the pursuit of perfection by the ageless and timeless Spurs.
But while the Western Conference beauty contest has strutted its stuff, LeBron James and the Cavaliers have been steadily and doggedly putting their act together.
Cleveland's 91-77 win over the Rockets Friday was one of those nights that will only be memorable to those on the inside who made it happen. It was not only the second half of a back-to-back, but the last stop on a six-game road trip and came 24 hours after the Cavs expended a great deal of energy and come up just short in San Antonio. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
Tristan Thompson Is the Spark That Cleveland Cavaliers' Starting Lineup Needs
Author: Greg Swartz
Publication: Bleacher Report
Prior to his return to a reserve role Friday against the Houston Rockets, Tristan Thompson enjoyed a nearly three-week stretch as the Cleveland Cavaliers' starting center. The results were encouraging, which is why the Cavaliers' 91-77 win over the Rockets shouldn't prevent the 24-year-old from making his way back into the starting five.
During the time the 6'9" Thompson was a starter, Cleveland was an impressive 8-1. Its lone loss came on the road against the San Antonio Spurs, who are currently playing like the best team in basketball.
Thompson's impact was also felt on both ends of the floor, as he took over for what's been a watered-down version of Timofey Mozgov. - CLICK HERE to read full story.