OPENING TIP
The Spurs have won nine in a row. The Cavaliers look like a failing product. The Spurs win with guts, raw talent and experience. The Cavs keep finding new ways to lose. The Spurs get it done year after year after year. The Cavs lost a lot to get to this season, when they thought they’d start winning -- but it hasn’t happened yet, and it’s hard to see how it might. But it’s not too late turn things around, and boy oh boy, beating the Spurs on their own floor would be a huge step in that direction. So that’s about all the Cavs have going for them right now: The hope that something good can finally happen.
Venue: AT&T Center, San Antonio
TV/Radio: 8:30 p.m. ET, FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
PROJECTED STARTERS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (4-9)
C Andrew Bynum
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Alonzo Gee
SG Matthew Dellavedova
PG Kyrie Irving
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (11-1)
C Tiago Splitter
PF Tim Duncan
SF Kawhi Leonard
SG Danny Green
PG Tony Parker
Pregame notes:
• C.J. Miles (calf strain) remains out for the Cavs. The Spurs have no significant injuries.
• The Cavs have lost five of six, seven of nine and nine of their last 12. If this is still part of the process, it sure ain’t any fun.
• The Spurs have won their previous seven games by an average of 15.6 points. “We just run our stuff and make stops,” Parker said, and man, that about covers it.
• The Cavs blew a 12-point lead with 4:41 left at New Orleans on Friday. U-G-L-Y.
• No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Bennett did not play in the loss to the Pelicans. He is 5-of-37 from the field so far. That’s 13.5 percent shooting.
• The Spurs are one of only three teams with no rookies on the opening-night roster (Heat, Nuggets are the others). Twelve Spurs returned overall, including all five starters.
Twitter: @SamAmicoFSO
