Live Thread: Cavs @ Spurs (#CollisionCourse)
2016-01-14
Aside from maybe Christmas Day (and the upcoming MLK Day matchup with the Warriors)… tonight’s game features one of the more anticipated clashes of the season, as the Cavs make their second stop in Texas to tangle with the San Antonio Spurs. As if this showdown needed more hype, both teams enter with lengthy winning streaks (eight games in a row for the Cavs and nine straight for the Spurs). The Spurs also just happen to be 22-0 at home to start this season (as they chase the all-time Western Conference record of 26-0 set by the Portland Trailblazers in 1977-78), and actually haven’t lost a game at the AT&T Center since the epic overtime thriller won by this Cavalier team last March 12th. In that 128-125 classic collision, the Cavs emerged victorious thanks to a career high 57 points from Kyrie Irving.
Since the last visit by the Cavs, most of the Spurs’ home games haven’t even been close contests. This year, they’re sporting a plus-16.1 points per game differential, just off the all time pace set by the 1995-96 Bulls (17.1). According to ESPN stats, San Antonio’s 93.5 points per 100 possessions allowed are on pace to be the fewest in the league in more than a decade, behind only their own mark of 91.6 set during the 2003-04 season.
Offensively, what makes the Spurs tough to defend is their ability to feature different scoring threats through their established system of sharing the ball. Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker have all taken turns as the high scorer in each of the last four games, and all four can prove to be difficult covers, as the Spurs’ offense flows wherever the team requires it.
The Cavs, meanwhile, have been able to diversify their own scoring lately with the return of a healthy Kyrie Irving. Even though he struggled a bit in his last two games (eight points on 3-of-15 shooting against the Sixers, and a rough shooting start against the Mavs), he came alive in the fourth quarter and overtime in Dallas to end up with 22 points and nine assists, and hit a deep dagger three to help cement the win. With Kyrie, LeBron, Kevin Love and a hot-shooting J.R. Smith, the Cavs have their own scoring threats to counter the Spurs.
With the Dallas victory, the Cavs have won eight consecutive games twice now this season, but they will need their best defensive effort to extend that streak to nine.
The probable starting lineup for the Cavs is: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. And for the Spurs: Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan.
The game will be nationally televised at 8pm EST on TNT, and can be heard on WTAM 1100.
This is a hard one to predict, as I think the Spurs, more than any other team, match up really well with the Cavs. I don’t think there will be nearly as much scoring as 10 months ago, but it should still be a very close game. I forecast that the wine & gold will pull this one out in the end 102-100.
ALL ABOARD! And GO CAVS!
If Parker keeps it up, it’s going to be time to PANIC!!!
I was just saying to myself, please end the quarter good, and boom a 6-0 by Tony Parker. Sigh Parker is the only one keeping the Spurs alive with 18 points out of their 44.
Cavs have played tremendous so far. First time this season I feel like they are tapping into their potential. Just gotta stop Parker’s penetration.
Echo that. To be up at the Spurs home at halftime is a good thing even with some slips.
A hard block attempt and or foul might help. Mozzy is perfect for that but he works so hard to go straight up and not foul.
Moz has done really well on a couple challenges at the rim when Parker or Mills got a lane to the rim. Hope Mozzy gets more run in the second half.
Spurs have helped by missing some wide open threes and layups at the bucket. Mozgoz definitely affected a few of those. Additionally we were somewhat sloppy with the ball in the second quarter, but they have played well against the spurs d. Parker poses a problem going forward.
Anyone understand the logic of sitting Leb with 40 seconds left? I’m not criticizing the move, just wondering what difference do a couple plays make before half time.
No cheap fouls, maybe? They’ve been getting called all game.
He took himself out, Winded.
ONLY 3 ASSISTS THAT QTR ( 9 FOR THE GAME ) —– 23 IS THE ” MAGIC ” NUMBER
Gotta get Shump on Parker, he’s the main reason the Spurs are still close.
It’s worth a try.
I would like to see that. No offense to Kyrie or Delly, but Parker seemed to be getting past them pretty easily.
Delly was doing ok, being physical with him. But Shump is what they need. Kyrie (or if Delly is in) can guard Green. Last year in the second half they put Shump on Parker I believe.
He’s still one of the fastest PGs and Kyrie is really just average on D.
Also one of the best point guards of all time at finishing near the hoop.
Gonna put the half time on mute so I don’t have to listen to Kenny slam the Cavs as usual.
Way, way ahead of you.
He be like: Check out my gravel pit.
We should have another 10 points if the refs didn’t screw us!
Unbelievable. How is Parker carving them up like easily.
Umm, he’s a hall of fame guard who’s been doing this for about 4 world championships. It’s what he does best. His defense on the other hand….
Kyrie cannot defend Parker
Parker looks like Kyrie so far tonight.
I was just thinking that too!
Unlike all those guys who could over the years… Parker’s hitting some really tough shots.
Few can when healthy. We shouldnt overreact though, it will open up their 3 point game.
76ER’S UP BY 10 OVER THE BULLS EARLY IN THE 4TH—WOULD THAT BE 4 OR 5 LOSSES IN A ROW FOR THE BULLS —-SO SAD !!
This game would be higher in pts w/o all those ref calls
I’m guessing there is no panic…
A lot of anger. Cavs playing one of their better halves this season.
There never is, outside of maybe one or two posters. It’s just a tired Cols narrative, much like the ‘delly is fat’, or dozens of others.
I think that “runner” by LeBron was a lob to Mozgov, who didn’t realize it.
Moz just got tackled!
Ridiculous no call.
These refs are the worst!
*whistles* Preeeeeeeettty three by LeBron. Nothing but net.
Refs really interfering in this game.
That’s ridiculous! How does that hoop not count?
Duncan wanted no part of that poster.
Chris Webber: Love how hard Kyrie is defending Parker out there
Hello??? Pay attention Dude. that’s Delly. !
No sound at the Lizard, guys. Help me out.
LEBRON SEEMS SO MORE EXPLOSIVE THIS SEASON ( VS LAST ) REALLY ENJOY WATCHING K.LOVE FIGHT FOR POSITION FOR A REBOUND–HE IS A MASTER AT THAT —GO CAVS–” IN THE LAND “
What’s impressing me is how hard the Spurs are trying to be physical with LeBron and it’s not working. Throwing all these little guys at him to try and agitate him with pesky defense
They all just start bumping LeBron as soon as he gets the ball. That jam was a good response.
Though it didn’t count. Really?
Wait did that dunk count?
That dunk counted right?
What happened there?
Trust me you guys will enjoy the game a lot more if you stop fretting over the officials. It is what it is.
I’m enjoying the game plenty! Don’t let the comments fool you. I love how the Cavs are playing right now.
Believe me I am enjoying the game and refs have blown at times.
Way to be in position Delly. Good charge.
Yeah, I don’t know why Chris Webber suggested that the call was a little iffy.
Delly must be the best pure point guard Lebron has played with the last 8 years. Only one who gets HIM some easy buckets out of the PnR.
HIs passes just Wow
I’m sorry but Parker fouled Lebron on reach-ins. May be a touch foul, but that was a foul.
They would’ve called that against us if we were on the defensive end
They already have been calling that on us. Why, refs, why?
The NBA doesn’t want this game to be a blow-out
Still like the game flow despite the ref blow
I like the way you rhyme.
Interesting game so far. Love the energy from Cleveland. Let’s get Love going.
Yeah crazy how with 4 minutes left in the half: Aldridge, Duncan, and Leonard combine for only 5 points.
Parker with a nice move on that. Can’t let him split that double team. Need our threes to fall.
Smith too open there.
JR getting a JR foul called against him. Kid should know he will never get the benefit of the doubt on that call.
The refs are keeping them in the game. WTF was that?
Two shot foul?
Holy crap these refs are so bad. You can tell they’re trying to call the game aggressively and it’s just looking bad
Ya cus they are only calling it aggressively against the Cavs.
We are getting royals screwed by this officiating crew!
That should’ve been a jump ball.
JR gets called for the most ticky tack stuff
LeBron has had some great vintage and-1s tonight. Good to see him finish around the rim. His body couldn’t do that last season.
Man i keep forgetting David West is on the Spurs now. They’re stacked.
Crowd starting to get into it. Need to continue to execute and maintain the lead. Nice lefty finish by Bron
Wow. Refs suuuuuuck.
West is a dirty POS!
Rare poor shot by RJ as he was pretty open.
That was off of West! These refs blow!
Pretty clear too. I will be so upset if the refs win this game for the Spurs.
Garbage call on Lebron. Put Parker on the floor a couple times.
Hardly a push by LeBron. LeSigh, these refs love SA.
ugh refs don’t call that both ways
Gotta fight through it. This is Cleveland.
That is ridiculous! Refs have called three awful offensive calls against the Cavs!
Spurs be like: “Swiper no swiping!!”
Shump – best hands in the game
Iman Stripert…………..
Going to need to come up with a name for the Shump strip
Cavs need Kyrie to get going and they also need to keep defending at a high level.
Not sure if I agree with that Moz sub few minutes ago. He made a mistake but we need minutes from him tonight.
Totally agree with you.
KY HASN’T SCORED YET AND WE ARE STILL UP BY ALMOST DOUBLE DIGITS—WE KNOW FROM THE OTHER NIGHT EVENTUALLY HIS HOT WILL FALL
Kyrie crescendos toward the end of the game in order to be MFQ.
Spurs are also missing some wide open looks.
Even though Kyrie has not had efficient games lately, he is causing all sorts of problems that should pay dividends later in the game. Panic level: 1.3
Kyrie coming out cold lately.
Just his presence on the court makes the defense work SO much harder. They are putting a lot of effort into stopping Kyrie from getting 57, its going to make a lot more openings for others. Panic level: 1.2
KEEP THIS PACE UP AND THE SPURS WILL HAVE TO GET THE DEFIBILATER OUT
I can’t believe Diaw can still get that high off the ground.
Lol, what kind of sequence was that. Back and forth, up and down the court.
Love making a lot of head fakes on the three point line then driving. Like the moves but need to finish.
seems like on a few of those moves he has gotten hit but of course no call. I like the move as well
Kyrie’s shot is still off!
Because he is MFQ, patience my man
Panic meter is at 1.2!!!!!!
Diaw used his off arm. Should be an offensive foul. I think we need a timeout.
Diaw. Ole Man Midriff just keeps rolling along.
ugh I hope refs don’t ruin this game
Another bad call!!!!
Moz with a good rotation prevented that layup. That’s why we aren’t trading our 7 footer.