Game Day Preview: Spurs vs. Cavs

By
Michael De Leon
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0
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (10-1) vs. CLEVELAND CAVALIER (5-6)
TEAM LEADERS

Points Rebounds Assists
SPURS Manu Ginobili 20.6 Tim Duncan 10.2 Tony Parker 7.5
CAVS J.J. Hickson 14.5 Anderson Varejao 9.3 Daniel Gibson 4.3
Fresh from a road victory and clinching the best start in team history, the  San Antonio Spurs (10-1) will try to extend their winning streak to 10 games when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at the AT&T Center.

The Spurs improved to 10-1 for the first time with a 94-82 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Cavaliers (5-6) are coming off a tough 108-101 loss against the New Orleans Hornets.

Tim Duncan is now the Spurs’ franchise leading NBA scorer with 20,797 points over his illustrious career.

The Cavaliers have won seven of nine regular season games against the Spurs but could struggle in this one. This will be the fist time the two teams will meet after LeBron James leave Cleveland in favor of the Miami Heat.

KEYS TO THE GAME

SPURS:

Offense — It will be key for the Spurs get their inside game going. Plus Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson’s dribble penetrations should provide the Spurs enough offensive fire power against the Cavaliers. 

Defense — Once again, the main key on defense is to limit the Cavaliers’ inside points and take control of the rebounds. They did that against the Jazz, if they can duplicate that defensive effort tonight, things will be looking pretty good in San Antonio.

CAVS:

Offense — J.J. Hickson is their main guy on offense and he will have plenty of help. Entering this game, five Cavaliers are averaging in double figures.

Defense — It will be key for the Cavs to limit the Spurs’ dribble penetrations and contain Duncan and Blair on the inside. They have to be wary of the Spurs’ offensive rebounding, the Spurs had a 16-5 advantage on the offensive glass on their recent win against the Jazz.

INJURIES

Spurs — James Anderson – stress fracture (out)

Cavs — Mo Williams – groin (day-to-day)

PREDICTION: Both teams are playing the second night of their back-to-backs. The Cavaliers are a pretty tough team, they gave the New Orleans Hornets a run for their money on their previous outing.
Nonetheless, the Spurs will have homecourt advantage and are playing good basketball right now. They should extend their winning streak to 10 games against the Cavaliers and set a new team record.

Follow Robby Lim on Twitter @RobbyLim21

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