But where will Spurs stop? After having chained 11 defeats in a row since November 11, the players of Gregg Popovich suddenly wake up, and this night, they signed a third victory in a row! After Houston and Miami, Cleveland lost to the young Spurs. A setback on the wire (112-111) after a formidable chase since the Cavaliers were up to 19 points behind in the 3rd quarter, and they were still led by 10 points four minutes from the end ( 110-100).
Evan Mobley in the dunk then Donovan Mitchell at mid-distance then try everything for everything! Cleveland nibbles behind, but Mobley misses a free throw, then loses a ball… Devin Vassell stops the bleeding (112-106) two minutes from the siren. The Spurs will no longer register a single point and Cleveland will have two match points. The first is for Mitchell but Keldon Johnson tarps him on the board. The ball returns to Darius Garland, alone in the corner at 3-point, but he misses. Mitchell takes the rebound again, but he fails to get back to the circle, and the Spurs win by the narrowest of margins.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
A rare defeat. It’s the first time this season that the Cavaliers have lost to a team with a record of less than 50%. Until now, Cleveland had always won against “small teams”. Another stat: the Cavaliers had not lost in San Antonio since March 2019!
The tribute to Gabriel Jesus. Seriously injured in the knee at the World Cup, the Brazilian striker will probably not play this season. In San Antonio, Josh Richardson stole his celebration by miming a phone call to his mom after each 3-pointer. This night, it was the bench as a whole who made this gesture after a 3-pointer from a hot Richardson. Keldon Johnson also adopted this celebration.
San Antonio appreciates the East. Penultimate in the Western Conference, the Spurs have a very positive record against the Eastern teams: 6 wins – 2 losses.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Josh Richardson. After having a hole against the Heat, the young Spurs veteran signs a full game with 24 points on 13 shots with a 5 of 7 from 3-pointers. More generally, the bench of San Antonio was very effective.
✅ ⛔Keldon Johnson. It waters a lot but it brings permanent danger, and it sets an example. Like on this decisive counter on Donovan Mitchell. This is only his 3rd against of the year!
✅ Caris LeVert. He’s Richardson’s twin, and he’s been just as effective as a sixth man. He does not force anything, and he plays in the rhythm of the attack. He does not seek isolation, and the attack is more “lively” when he is on the pitch.
⛔ Darius Garland. Like this last missed shot in the corner, the All-Star point guard had a complicated evening with a 7 of 22 on shots, including 1 of 6 from 3-pointers.
THE FOLLOWING
Cleveland (17-11) : trip to Dallas on Wednesday.
San Antonio (9-18) : trip to Portland on Wednesday.
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