In front of a national audience, the San Antonio Spurs put the brakes on their four-game losing streak by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-94.
In true San Antonio fashion, seven Spurs scored in double figures lead by LaMarcus Aldridge’s 27.
Danny Green stepped up with 22 points, including 5-9 from three point range, off the bench. Green sat out the previous contest, a defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, with food poisoning.
Green had this to say about today’s victory:
Every win is a big one for us, but this month we’ve had some ups and downs. This is a really good team, especially with the best player in the world over there.
The win put a positive cap on what has largely been a disappointing “rodeo trip”( there is an annual rodeo hosted at their home arena that forces the Spurs on the road for 18 days) this season. The Spurs had previously lost six of seven, including the aforementioned four game skid, on the trip.
On the defensive side of the ball, San Antonio resembled more of the team that we have come to expect-even though they stumbled into today’s game 22nd in points per possession, allowing a healthy 110.8. However they held the Cavs’ fifth ranked offense to shooting only 41.8 from the floor including a paltry 8-34 from downtown and holding them to only 94 points.
Lebron James was spectacular in defeat, going for 33 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists in his 39 minutes of work. Jordan Clarkson and Jeff Green contributed 17 and 14 points respectively, as they were the only Cavaliers in double figures.
James was not pleased with the way both he and the Cavaliers were being officiated; the Spurs shot 32 free throws to only 14 for the Cavaliers. The Spurs also were only called for 12 fouls the entire game. LeBron had this to say about it post game:
We’re at a point now where we protect the shooter more than the driver. There’s no reason I should be going to the line four times in a game when I drive 100 times to the paint and I’m getting hit and slapped and grabbed and whatever and what not. We protect the shooter. That’s what it’s turned into. Chicks dig the long ball and that’s what it’s about.
Up next for the Spurs is a return home where they will host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Cavaliers play the Brooklyn Nets at the Q on Tuesday.
