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
Still can’t believe that they are not getting Love some touches in the post.
Penetration defense is awful tonight though.
SHump is the only guard playing good defense.Dude can’t hit wing threes though.
Spurs finally starting to miss shots. Time to close out the quarter.
This is what happens when you play on the road against a dynasty like the Spurs. They get to beat you up and no fouls are called. You touch them, there’s a foul.
We’re playing tough and I love it.
They seem to be really hanging tough, looks like they’re not playing their best ball, yet only down by 5. Gotta find a way to clamp down on defense.
Charles Barkley is making me die with laughter…!!!!!!!!
Great D by Shump there after Parker took 3.5 steps.
Shump makes up for the horrific three attempt with some strong D on Parker…
Finally a freakin foul!!!
Yet ANOTHER horrible charge call on a pass with Ginobili flopping… smh…
Boris in Finals mode…
I’ve always loved the Spurs. It’s hard to hate against them. They’re so precise. That being said I really hope we can figure out how to beat them. And really hope they don’t get out of the west.
It’s one of my best friend’s favorite teams. Unselfish basketball at its best. Total team.
They also cheat in all sorts of ways that are inexplicably hard for the refs to monitor. Jersey grabbing, flopping, moving screens, and apprentice even jumping on top of people is no longer a foul
I see all teams do the things you mentioned. I don’t think it’s unique to the Spurs. And I see all teams get away with it at one time or another… not just the Spurs.
Why doesnt KLove break for the hoop? He just stands on the weak side
He does break for the hoop often. The pass hardly ever makes its way to him when he does that.
FINALLY A CALL!!! Great D by Kevin there.
Hi yall, just started watching at halftime… looks like both offenses are dominating tonight. Cavs hanging tough with the defending champs!
Cavs can’t stop them and Leonard is winning his match up against LeBron. If if wasn’t for Kyrie’s hot shooting the Cavs would be totally getting blowned out.
We desperately need klove in the post.
Like the intensity by Blatt on the sideline.
Blatt is PISSED in the wired segment…
And holding up LeBron as an example to the others for his effort — taking the charge and getting down on the floor for the jump ball.
Charles says Pop is “in the conversation of one of the best coaches ever” but qualifies it by saying it is just his opinion. Don’t go way out on a limb there Chuck.
Kyrie is a clutch player. He does this consistently. Rather have it in his hands than LBJs in the final seconds imho.
I am really freaking tired of KLuv hanging his head. That is a ton of bull in all honesty
I just noticed this – why are the fans there holding rubber penises?
So Scotch, still think Kawhi isn’t a top ten player?
Kawai seems determined to outplay LBJ tonight
Pretty good for a role player.
Illegal defense by Leonard when LeBron hit that J.
Does anyone else think Blatt is going to be a genius in the playoffs? All we hear is how he is an expert tactician. Give a guy like that 4 games in a row against the same team? Seems like thats ideal for him.
We’ll see. Depends on if LeBron listens.
Time to bring in Perk to set some nasty screens on Leonard.
Spurs are so intelligent man. Every single thing about this sports franchise, so intelligent
That last sequence gave me 2014 Finals douchechills
Spurs are getting layups all game. Did the Cavs got ready for this game?
Chuck is right about Love against Diaw in the post.
Is it still a “jump ball” or should it be a “jump jersey” since that’s all Timmy had his hands on…
Thompson has to be smarter when he get’s those offensive rebounds.
Cavs bigs have hands of stone down low if they can’t get the ball above the shoulders. Turnover at least 75% of the time would you guys say?
I wonder how many people are watching the LA-NY game instead of this one, haha
Most of my neighbors are…
Well, that certain doesn’t help dissuade the notion that Lakers fans don’t actually understand good basketball.
Nobody ever said they were smart… ;)
Hey when you can watch Jordan Clarkson duel Langston Galloway instead of a Finals preview with two of the best 10 players in the history of the league, you have to do it.
Christian Bale is… BatMoses!
Spurs shooting 66% midway through the 3rd yet we’re only down four.
Yeah, I thought they’d cool off, but they’ve only gotten better… crazy!
The cool off has started
Kyrie is absolutely out of this world with these pull up threes. But he’s gotta stop Parker from getting into the paint. Won’t win unless Cavs stop Parker.
Kyrie’s the only reason the Cavs are in this game.
Need Cols in here spouting off about LeIso being the best shot in bball, OKC being only team that can stop cavs with a 5% chance, etcetera, etcetera.
Just sit Mozgov. He is totally lost on both ends.
ARGH. Mozgov’s hands and then soft D on Tony on the drive.
“how many of his paint points are in the paint?”
um, all of them.
Also said Parker’s scoring on post-ups. I didn’t realize posting up meant driving to the rim, pump faking and then shoot a little floater.
Moz just has bad hands around the rim…
Lebron really is getting shut down. Can’t believe it. He’s competing out there and Kawahi is making him a nonfactor.
He is a non factor cuz gues doing it wrong. Post up that weak sauce!
GREAT defense there. Kyrie forced Parker to the sideline and LeBron pinched down on Duncan to get a jump ball.
Bron had his hands around the ball and Timmy had his arms around Bron’s neck…
How was there no foul on Love?? He got hit by three guys.
Just no justice down low… KLove looked like a pinball on that possession…
Refs literally cheating. Love got landed on and didn’t get a call.
J.R. has had his head not in the game so far this half.
ARGH. PUT PARKER ON THE DECK!
Cavs still not focused on defense.
Spurs moving the ball and Cavs walking it up and chucking right now…
Chuck’s commenting is so entertaining, oh man
Wow… you could just see that Splitter charge coming for like 5 seconds…
What in God’s name was he thinking. Once he crossed halfcourt you knew he couldn’t drive without charging.
Mozgov is totally lost on defending that pick n roll.
Ah Chuckers, talking about how you can’t win shooting threes. I know he’s trying to say you need a balanced attack and a post game opens up the shooters, but the words that come out of his mouth.
It’s like last quarter when Webber said “I don’t know if Love has a post-up yet this game.” when Love had just posted up the last two possessions.
Every single movement by the SPurs is oriented around a pick/screen action
Moz got pushed from behind on that tip in…
Spurs CAMPING OUT in the lane on offense.
When LeBron was in Miami I loved the Spurs. Now that he’s back, I hate them. All is right with the world.
Hahaha, so true. When the Spurs lost to the Heat in 2013 I think I felt as bad as any actual Spurs fan. Now I can’t stand them.
Refs just letting the physical play go… Cavs need to recognize and toughen up…
Nate, your boy Rudy G is going off in the game against the Rockets… He’s got 19 points and 22 boards (12 offensive!)
I argued for him #1 overall.
I was actually depressed they got the number one pick because I knew they wouldn’t take him.
Kevin Hetrick and I had huge arguments about him, and he compared him to Alex Anjinca. Ironically, Anjinca is playing great right now.
I’ve had half a pot of coffee since the game started. I can’t stop typing.
Is amazing how the Spurs keep attacking in some many ways. Let’s hope LeBron and Kyrie can continue with their scoring ways and the Cavs defense can wake up. To be honest they missed a lot of open 3’s….. If the begin to hit those….
Anyone know who the refs are? Is that Haywood workman?
Derrick Stafford. Anyone know if he’s a known Cavs hater? My buddy ERick says he always hoses the Cavs.
Isn’t being a known Cavs hater a pre-requisite for being a ref in the NBA (with the exception of Lauren Holtkamp)?
http://www.basketball-reference.com/referees/staffde99r.html
This half time show is all jokes. Everyone talking at the same time, no idea what anyone is saying LOL
They need Ernie.
Shaq just loves running to the back wall…
LOL Shaq is completely winded, can’t breath
Spurs run a lot of double screens with their bigs and it is impossible for Kyrie to get thru those. Cavs will have to play TT more.
Blatt should try Kevin in the post since LeBron’s jumper is not there today.
Nice half by the Cavs. Spurs playing well and getting home cookin from the refs. With any luck Parker will run down a bit in the second half.
LeBron needs to solve KLeonard’s D by passing more.
Or going to the post.
No way the Spurs shoot 61% for the game. Cavs will pick up the D in the second half…
Pretty sure they did that across the entire finals.
I don’t think that’s true…
They shot 52.8… which is still the highest in Finals history, but it’s not 61%
Can tell KLove is a bit rattled out there by the atmosphere and opponent. He makes a small mistake, gotta move forward, next play, cannot afford to dwell.
These are the vital opportunities for Kyrie and Kevin to experience high tension basketball against the best in the world. It is crucial that they grow in mental toughness from these moments.
2 against five won’t win it for the Cavs…. And the defense has been totally absent.
The Spurs just run Parker off a pick n roll and the Cavs defense gets all broken down.
Difference In this game is we now have the ability to outscore them
The non-call on Duncan’s cheap shot is why jr got pissed and a technical. Blatt’s needs to be extra on the refs about screens specificcally