 San Antonio's Tim Duncan goes up for the easy deuce against Cleveland. D. Clarke Evans NBAE/Getty Images 56k | 300k |
Cleveland trailed 74-69 entering the fourth quarter, but Smith hit three 3-pointers in the first 6:20 to give San Antonio a 93-80 advantage. The Spurs led by double digits thereafter.
"Steve Smith can shoot," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "There's absolutely no doubt he can shoot. He's got big-time confidence, he likes taking the shot. He's been big for us in several games this year."
With 6:20 remaining in the first quarter, Spurs center David Robinson dunked and surpassed George Gervin as the team's all-time NBA points leader. Robinson scored seven points and finished with 19,388, five more than Gervin, who also played in the ABA.
"That (dunk) was a good way to get it," Robinson said. "I wanted to start off with a 3-pointer but Pop wouldn't run that play for me."
San Antonio defeated Cleveland for the fourth consecutive time and 12th straight at home. The Spurs have not fallen to the Cavaliers in San Antonio since December 8, 1988.
Lamond Murray scored 18 points, Andre Miller added 16 and 10 assists and Chris Mihm contributed 15 points and nine rebounds for Cleveland (2-8). Seven of the Cavaliers' eight losses have been by 10 points or more.
San Antonio outscored Cleveland in the paint, 42-24, but the Cavaliers registered more second-chance points, 19-10.
"We're doing great 18 of the 24 seconds of the clock," Robinson said. "It's the last couple of seconds, not getting the rebound or coming up with the loose ball, and those second opportunities are hurting us. We need to be a lot sharper finishing up our defense."
Duncan hit two free throws with 9:44 left in the third quarter to give the Spurs a 57-47 lead before the Cavs went on a 20-8 spurt over the next seven minutes and took the lead on a 3-pointer by Murray.
With 2:07 remaining, Murray hit a 15-foot jumper to give Cleveland its last lead at 69-68. The Cavs stayed close until Smith's 3-point barrage in the fourth quarter.
"We need to be playing a little more consistent and physically, but we're always happy with a win," Popovich said. "It's a matter of time. We're continuing to work on it. New bodies, faces, new offenses -- it's all pretty logical."