This game sees the 23-8 San Antonio Spurs take on the 17-12 Cleveland Cavaliers at The Quicken Loans Arena, in both teams’ first games since the old, leather ball was reinstated on January 1. <div align="center"><font color="#C7D0D5"><u>San Antonio Spurs</u> C Robert Horry PF Tim Duncan SF Bruce Bowen SG Manu Ginobili PG Tony Parker</font> @ <font color="#B94056">C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Drew Gooden SF LeBron James SG Larry Hughes PG Eric Snow <u>Cleveland Cavaliers</u></font></div> <u>Key Matchup</u> – SG – Manu Ginobili v Larry Hughes v Manu Ginobili is a 4-year pro from Argentina. Standing at 6-6, 205lbs he is more than capable of grabbing rebounds and moving physically through the lane. Larry Hughes, on the other hand, is an 8-year veteran out of St. Louis (a one-and-done college career). He is 6-5 but weighs 184lbs though, whilst not as well-built as Ginobili, he still possesses the ability to break down defences. Hughes is currently in a somewhat erratic year as he has shown flashes of brilliance mixed with lingering mediocrity. He is averaging 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists as well as a sub-par 1.2 steals. His strength is his perimeter defence but it has not been up to his own high standards. Ginobili is having a strong year, averaging 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He is showing strong play, without the heroic performances that he managed last season. It will, no doubt, be an interesting matchup between two similarly talented players and, if one can pull a huge performance out of the bag, it could be enough to turn the game. [div=50%] <font color="#B94056"><u>Cavaliers’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Stop the Spurs’ formidable attack. The Spurs average over 100 points per game and concede just over 90, meaning that they have the biggest gap between the number of points scored and conceded per game. It will be essential to halt their scoring, as they are relentless of they get on top. [*]Close the Spurs’ 3 point shot attempts down. The Spurs have the best 3 point percentage in the League, with a phenomenal 41.3%. If the Cavs leave the Spurs open, it could well be lights out. [*]Win the rebounding battle. The Cavaliers grab 53% of all the rebounds in their games, whilst the Spurs grab 51%. It will therefore be an intense battle on the glass, as the two teams fight for glory on the rebounds front. If the Cavaliers can limit the Spurs’ second chance opportunities, as well as getting a lot of their own, the Spurs will struggle to overcome them. [/list] </font> [/div] <font color="#C7D0D5"><u>Spurs’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Contain LeBron James. So far this season the phenom is averaging 27.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists. If he has a big night the Cavaliers can be incredibly difficult to beat. Bruce Bowen will have to use many of the tricks he knows in order to contain the 6-8 240lbs LeBron. [*]Play clever offence. The Spurs have the second-best Field Goal percentage with 48.1% whilst the Cavaliers hang in a lowly 22nd position with 44.4%. If the Spurs can increase this gap with clever offence and tough defence, the Cavaliers will need nothing short of a miracle to overcome them. [*]Extort the Cavaliers lacklustre Free Throw percentage. The Cavaliers make just 69.5% of their free throws, whereas the Spurs make 74.5%. Whilst the Spurs themselves do not have a great free throw percentage, the extra 5% could make the difference as this is a game where an extra point could prove the difference. [/list] </font> <u>Prediction</u> The Cavaliers have won 3 out of the 7 games against the Spurs played since LeBron James entered the League, including the game against in early November which they won 88-81. They average 90.9 points per game whereas the Spurs average 95.4. Alone, LeBron James averages 27.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Tonight, I see the Spurs being simply too strong for the Cavaliers as they have all the parts needed to win another championship. The Cavaliers in a couple of seasons could challenge the Spurs realistically in a multiple game series, but not now. <font color="#C7D0D5 ">103</font>-<font color="#B94056">95</font>
Should be a close game, the Cavs try to model themselves after the Spurs, so I expect them to be focused and motivated for this matchup. I agree with the key matchup, Larry Hughes has to find more consistency and start earning his hefty paycheck. He's been a costly disappointment thus far. You could even argue Flip Murray was a better fit next to LeBron. On paper the Spurs starting 5 has a huge size advantage over the Cavs. Of course, LeBron James can neutralize an opponent's interior defense with aggressive drives to the hoop, but he's been settling for jumpshots instead of putting pressure on defenders to foul him. The Cavs bench has to out play the Spurs bench tonight. The Spurs have a decisive advantage in backcourt scoring, so the Cavs bench has to help keep the margin close. The Magic are right behind the Cavs in the playoff race, Cleveland needs a quality win to get some confidence for the new year.
I miss Flip Murray. It was an idiotic move to let him go and sign David Wesley. Flip was way more productive on the bench then Larry is starting. As for the game, I'm having a tough time believing in the Cavs here. With all the inconsistant play we have been having, I wouldn't be suprised if we got blown out at home.
Spurs bench has been the difference so far outscoring Cleveland 18-7. Extremely low scoring game 49-43 Spurs lead with about 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Horrible reffing on both sides. Kept seeing make-up call after make-up call. Hughes got hot near the end and Varejao proves again why he is maybe the best sixth man in the league, if not most under-rated.
The Cavs own the Spurs, I believe this makes it 3 straight victories over San Antonio. Larry Hughes had two clutch 4 POINT PLAYS last night.
