Live Thread: Cavaliers at Spurs
2015-03-12
The wine and gold visit San Antonio, looking to follow up on an impressive win Tuesday night in Dallas and push their record to 2-0 on their current four game road trip.
There’s never any shortage of intrigue when a LeBron James-led team faces the Spurs. Whether you’re flashing all the way back to the 2007 Finals or have more recent memories — the Ray Allen shot, the Spurs dissection of the Miami Heat in last year’s Finals, Kawhi vs LeBron — this is a match-up with some meat on its bones; one that might be a bit more than just “the next game” for the Cavs star forward. Even with James’ notoriously short memory, he only needs to look back to November 19, 2014, to when these two teams met in Cleveland, to find some extra motivation. That game ended with James dribbling the ball off his foot in the final seconds before he could even attempt a shot and the Cavs fell to the Spurs 92-90.
In that game, the Cavs were led by Anderson Varejao’s 23 points and head coach David Blatt went with an eight man rotation, that saw Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and Joe Harris as the team’s lone reserves (not counting the two spot minutes from Will Cherry).
The Spurs are playing like the “same old Spurs” again, but this is a very different Cavs team.
Of course, you’d expect all that to mean that Spurs coach Gregg Popovich would rest his entire starting five in tonight’s nationally televised game. Apparently not. Both Tim Duncan (hyper-extended elbow) and Manu Ginobli (illness) are expected to play for the Spurs.
Enjoy. Discuss. Go Cavs!
For some pre-game / half-time listening, check out Tom’s segment this afternoon on Dayton Sports Scene:
https://soundcloud.com/dayton-radio/tom-pestak-3-12-15
LOL. Why does Delly draw two guys every time for that lob? Why would you help if you’re the big there? Force of defensive habit…
Delly is getting really good at that lob pass in the lane!
Never knew March Madness was really all about freedom.
Time for a good run right now from the Cavs to begin the second quarter. Blatt will need to rotate his guys wisely… Spurs have a great bench.
The Spurs look incredible. I saw them about 2 weeks ago they looked awful. Crazy how quickly good health can get a team straight
Dear lord that three killed our moment at the end there.
Mills had about a millimeter of space to get that off there. Not bad defense by Delly.
Honestly, it wasn’t really a complaint. We usually have a hard time when we put our second unit in. Not tonight.
Two LBJ long two misses to end the quarter… bummer.
Helluva 1ST Quarter!!!
Wasted possession by ‘Bron there.
Spltter looks like Reek from Game of Thrones.
Cavs doing a good job maintaining and defending with LBJ on the bench…
Cavs are going to regret not giving Tristan a max deal last year. Lack of foresight about the new labor deal there.
With a cap in the neighborhood of 92 mill, it shouldn’t matter…
That’s what I’m saying. Locking him in at four years, $15 million per seems like a steal now. He’ll do the one year opt out like everyone else this summer.
If they win a title, I’m sure DG will be fine giving 1 year Max deals to the whole team if they want… ;)
This is one of the most absurd things I’ve ever read.
The 2015 max is going to look like nothing in a couple years.
Tristan Thompson is still never, nor should he ever, have been a max deal player. I understand the cap will rise, but he’s simply not worth $15M per year. If someone wants to offer that to him, you let him walk. He’s a great offensive rebounder, but he brings little else other than energy. His skill set is 100% replaceable.
Irving has hands down the best dribbling skills in the league. And hes up there finishing around the rim.
great D Kyrie!!! There we go
Wow! Charles just called TT the best offensive rebounder in the NBA!
And it’s 100 true.
NASTY crossover by Magnum KI
Moz looked locked in tonight.
Shump did a good job to make sure Parker didn’t score there… Moz has got some great post moves… just wish he could finish a little more consistently…
Parker is not shy at all lol.
How’s that not an over the back on Ginobili?
Make up call for the non-call on the Cavs on the fast break…
Look at love fight down there in the post. That is the single most encouraging thing I’ve seen the past couple games.
The league will have nightmares if the Cavs go to him low frequently. Especially when LBJ sits
Nice D by Kyrie on those last two Parker attempts
believeland, you happy now?
Parker can’t get by SHUMP tho!
Let’s hope Kevin can take advantage of Diaw guarding him.
Love with the running-back tuck gets the foul taking it strong to the rack.
Great move by KLove to get by Diaw
Kyrie has to put more effort on defense… Parker is scoring at will.
Parker has been crushing it lately though against everyone…
You seem a little salty tonight, Nate… are you drinkin at the Lizard with your laptop? ;)
LOL. No. Gave up drinking for Lent, though I’ve slipped a couple times.
Kyrie needs to get his crap together. This is what playing basketball on a stage that actually matters feels like young boul
What do you mean? Kyrie nailed that pass to LBJ…
Needs to step up to the challenge of defending Parker.
LeBron break No. 1 coming up. Kyrie will get more involved in the offense — which hopefully will help wake him up on D.
LBJ going with the all-white shoes… never seen that before from him…
LeBalding James! With the slam!
GORGEOUS BOUNCE PASS FROM KYRIE!!!
Thunderous dunk too. In case anyone forgot who the best player in the NBA still is.
LOVE that lob to MOZ!
They should have one of those National Bureau of Assists commercials where Mason Kidd comes upon Jason who’s drunkenly crashed his car into a tree.
Can’t keep my eyes off the game, very high intensity! You can tell LBJ circled this one on the schedule
So did Duncan. Flying down that lane like he’s 29 again.
Blatant goaltend.
Yeah that was home court advantage there.
Man I love this team. Another intense game. I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE PLAYOFFS!
Yikes, that was hard to watch.
WOW! I haven’t seen Timmy jump like that for a few years!
Might have gotten away with a goaltend, but still impressive for 38 year old…
WHAT A FEED FROM THE KING!!
Lebron through the legs!!!!!!!
That was RIDICULOUS! Just need Moz to finish better…
Danny Green haunting his old team…
FINALS I’m calling it right now
You and Chris Sheridan…
Playoff atmosphere right here
J.R. came to play!
Lebron ripping a tomahawk through the lane
I’m finding it tougher to find LBJ on the floor sans headband…
Ah! I like it! Why am I the only one?!
Not that I don’t like it… I’m just not used to it yet…
Evil, if I make Barkley comments, you have to hit my shock collar button.
Done…
What if they’re funny though?
Speaking is very difficult for Charles Barkley…
haha yea it’s hilarious how’s he’s always a play or two behind
Great drive and dish by J.R.!
Great movement for the LBJ cut and dunk!
I guess they want ahead and started the game anyway…
The “missed free throws and crowd gets Chik-Fil-A” has to be the weirdest giveaway contest in the NBA…
Especially considering how they earn it. The crowd gets fired up though.
The Cavs have a McDonald’s one I don’t understand at all.
Spurs always like to hit first, I hope the Cavs are ready for that and not dig a hole like they did against the Hawks last week.
Weird that most of Gortat’s conversations on the “wired” segment are with Gooden… I wish he would have asked him about his ducktail…
Remember the Johnnie?
No… remind me…
Anyone think FarmersOnly.com just means “white people?”
This game is just painfully long…
TNT must have it in their contract that they get to run more ads. So many of their games approach 3 hours.
That is fantastic.
Delly is leading the TNT Overtime Player Cam Vote. Are we seriously going to see Delly swing his mouthpiece around for 48 minutes? THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!
http://www.nba.com/tntovertime/
If anyone is sick of the Wizards game, the 1990 Knicks/Celtics game is on NBA TV. The Best part? Hubie Brown sounds exactly the same as he does now. Older even…
That is my favorite part of hunks Browns calls. My boys might be 25 and could hear him just like it was 1985
This game cannot move fast enough. Do you think Karl is kicking himself for not waiting for the Wizards job to open up? Wouldn’t that be like the perfect team for him?
Marcin Gortat has one of the most amusing countenances in the NBA. My buddy and I call him “The Genie.”
I miss his Travis Bickle style mohawk…
That was a brutal foul on Leuer. I tuned in late, and didn’t catch Fratello’s comments. That has to be a a flagrant 2 evey time.
Anyone watching this Memphis/Washington game?
Mike Fratello officially has become the worst NBA announcer in my opine. How does he not see what Seraphin did was flagrant and warranted an ejection after how chippy the game has been in the 2nd half and how Seraphin was involved in a takedown the possession before. Fratello, even after the ejection AND seeing countless replays, still defends the play as a good basketball play, attempting a block.
Missed all that. Just turned it on waiting for the Cavs. Initially I was shocked to see WSH up by 20. Then I remembered getting the alert saying that Memphis was resting, well, everyone.
As an NBA fan, it’s incredible to take a moment to sit back and reflect on Lebron and Duncan going up against each other; two of the top ten all time NBA legends. The greatness, professionalism, and love for the game that they both bring is awe inspiring.
Not to get ahead of myself, but a part of me wants to see them battle in the finals one last time. Yes, spoiled would be the word.
Duncan’s season has been amazing. To do what he’s doing at 38… Best player at that age since Kareem.
100% agree. Think he will be a unanimous 1st ballot vote? I wish there wasn’t drama around the vote but there is no doubt he is in on the first chance
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/10/meet_the_coaching_staff_of_dav.html
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Awesome Coaching Staff
David Blatt – Head Coach
Tyronn Lue – Assoc. Head Coach
Larry Drew – Assistant Coach
Jim Boylan – Assistant Coach
Bret Brielmaier – Assistant Coach
James Posey – Assistant Coach
Phil Handy – Director of Player Development, Assistant Coach
Vitaly Potapenko – Assistant Director of Player Development
For those interested in the brain power on the Cavs bench in suit & tie
Don’t forget Damon Jones – Head LeBron cheerleader
lol was just about to post this when i saw the list of coaches :).
let’s do this! cant wait to see how mozgov lines up against the veteran spurs front line. also, jr smith will have to be big on the wing for D. TT i hope has plenty of opportunities on the second unit. as for love? i hope another all around game that punishes teams from inside or out.
cant you tell i have been waiting for this? plus my 2 boys are already fast asleep from a great day at the zoo. my wife has scandal so i dont have any distractions from commenting
Can’t wait for this one. Should be another intense game. Will be fun to watch the Pop/Blatt moves and countermoves as much as the gameplay…
I am so excited for this game. High-intensity basketball!