The Spurs will once again be without starting center Tim Duncan on Monday when San Antonio hosts Orlando.
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LeBron James had 29 points and seven assists, while Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving chipped in 21 points apiece. The gap grew to 20 in the third quarter and the Cavs carried a 96-78 cushion into the final 12 minutes, and never allowed the lead to dip below nine en route to their 10th win in the last 11 games.
Kawhi Leonard scored 24 for the Spurs, who still retain a healthy 11-1/2 game lead in the Southwest Division. “Knowing that we have a chance to beat a great team like the San Antonio Spurs just gives us confidence going forward”. “It feels great”, said Lue, who was named to coach of the East in the league’s mid-season showcase to be played February 14 in Toronto.
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered Saturday’s game with a 0-5 record against the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls.
The Cavs shot 64 percent in the second quarter and led 66-49 at the half. They also scored 66 in the first half of Friday’s win at the Detroit Pistons.
Popovich blamed his defense for most of the Spurs’ problems. The Spurs have been beaten badly now by two elite teams during Duncan’s absence: The Warriors beat them by 30 just five days ago. Since taking over the reins from the fired David Blatt, Lue now has four wins against a lone defeat.
It has been a turbulent week for the Cavs, who have taken criticism across the league – including from Popovich – for firing coach David Blatt despite owning the best record in the East.
It added up to Cleveland’s most significant win of the season, especially given the opponent. They shut down the Spurs, as they defeated them 117-103 on Saturday, according to SB Nation. “I don’t think anybody can stop him one on one”. “So that’s most important”. “When Kevin is shooting the ball like that and being aggressive he can’t be stopped”, said teammate Kyrie Irving, who finished with 28 points.
Irving (10) and Matthew Dellavedova (8) scored Cleveland’s first 18 points in the fourth quarter. What is required to get used to that is not taking any quarters or games off when they are playing a sub-par team. “It’s going to take a little bit more time, but it was good to see that tonight”.
You look in those highlights and the defenders do a pretty solid job in staying with him despite the bevy of moves he puts on the Spurs. The Cavs are 24-2 when they score at least 100 points and 10-10 when they don’t….
LeBron James and the gang hit the court and something was off, with the team looking like a “one of these is not like the others” quiz.
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No one seemed to notice the mishap until a member of the equipment staff made James change midway through the first quarter.
