LAS VEGAS, July 7, 2007 -- Through the first fifteen minutes of the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs the lead changed hands six times and the score was tied on six occasions. The final lead change occurred with 5:04 remaining in the second quarter on a three-point shot made by Cleveland’s Darius Rice, en route to a 67-53 victory by the Cavaliers.

The Spurs held a one-point advantage after the first period of play, but Cleveland wound up making up the difference with a 23-to-16 advantage in the second.

The Cavaliers were paced by a Rice’s 19 points (7-13 FG). Shannon Brown followed closely behind Rice’s performance with 18 points of his own. Brown shot only 4-14 from the field, but was 9-10 from the free throw stripe.

San Antonio got double-digit efforts from James White and C.J. Watson. White pitched in 12 points (3-9 FG, 5-6 FT), while Watson had 10 (2-12 FG, 6-8 FT).

The Cavaliers lost the services of their guard Daniel Gibson in the second quarter, but not before he assisted on Rice’s game-changing shot. Gibson left the contest after receiving a right eye laceration when he was attempting to block Cheyne Gadson with 1:21 remaining before the half. Gibson did not return after receiving stitches.