The NBA’s top three teams have been playing each other over the past few weeks and it’s clear that this contest is to see which team is second-best right now. Cleveland was the 23rd victim of San Antonio’s unbeaten home streak two weeks ago and the Cavs look to return the favor under the guidance of new coach Tyronn Lue. Both teams suffered a 30-point loss to the Warriors last week.
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SCHEDULING
San Antonio responded nicely to the 30-point shellacking they were handed by the Warriors on Monday, taking out their frustrations from that outing by dismantling Houston 130-99 Wednesday night. The Spurs will try for a better showing against the top team in the Eastern Conference than they had against the best of the West when they visit the Cavaliers for a primetime contest. The Spurs should be well rested for their second matchup with the Cavs in two weeks. No one played more than 30 minutes in the rout of Houston and they have two full days off before attempting to sweep the season series. All of the Spurs losses this season have come on the road where they are 14-7 SU and 13-8 ATS.
After a rude beginning to his coaching career, Tyronn Lue had a break in the schedule to get his first wins. The Cavs were ambushed by Chicago last Saturday in Lue’s first game since taking over for the fired David Blatt. But visits from Minnesota and Phoenix, two of the worst teams in the Western Conference, earlier this week allowed the Cavs to bounce back. Though the Cavs will be playing at home, where they’re 18-3 SU and 10-11 ATS, they could be at a disadvantage having to play in Detroit against the physical Pistons on Friday. Cleveland is 5-3 SU and 3-4-1 ATS in the second game of their eight back-to-backs this season and have won their last three.
INJURIES
Tim Duncan missed his second straight game due to soreness in his right knee and there is no timetable for his return. Duncan sat out the Spurs’ loss to Golden State on Monday and was inactive again for Wednesday’s game.
Even though it is the second game of a back-to-back for the Cavaliers, don’t expect their veterans to take a night off. This game is too important, especially after the Cavs lost by 34 points to the Warriors on their home floor just 12 days ago.
KEY MATCHUP
With Blatt gone and Lue in charge, can Cleveland hold its own against one of two NBA teams with a better record? With that question hanging over every Cavalier’s head, especially James, given the criticism he’s faced over Blatt’s firing, it was good to see them look like they were up to the task against the Suns. James’ services weren’t needed in the fourth quarter of the 115-93 stomping of the Suns, who, let’s be honest, don’t exactly mimic the kind of test the Spurs will offer. But for the first time in the very, very new Lue era, the Cavs were dominant. James piled up 21 points, nine assists, and three rebounds in 31 minutes. He shot 7 of 8 from the field and made all seven of his free throw attempts. The coaching change was made to improve James and not because of him. He should benefit greatly from the up-tempo, guns-blazing style Lue wants in Cleveland. It seemed to pay dividends against the Suns. We’ll see if it works against the Spurs. The style is similar to that of the Warriors, who torched San Antonio’s top-ranked defense, and Lue and James are looking for similar results.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
We saw what Lue envisions for the Cavaliers in their win over Phoenix and they have increased their point total in each of the first three games under the new head coach. But playing Minnesota and Phoenix is far different than playing San Antonio. One of the reasons for Blatt’s dismissal was in-game matchup and adjustment problems against the Warriors and Spurs – the two teams ahead of the Cavs in the NBA and the two most widely considered the favorites to represent the West in the Finals. Talent-wise the teams are equal and the difference will come from the bench. Not the reserve players, rather the coach. Pop has been doing this much longer than Lue and if the Cavs new bench boss thinks he can outsmart the best in the game, the Cavs could see another blowout loss on their home floor.
San Antonio 107, Cleveland 102
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