Are you ready for some prime-time nationally televised NBA basketball on Saturdays? Then you are in luck as ABC starts its winter schedule of showcase games on Saturday nights this week with a potential NBA Finals preview when San Antonio visits Cleveland. The Cavs will be home NBA odds favorites.
When: Saturday, Jan. 21, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
TV: ABC
NBA Odds: Cavs favored by TBA
This starts a four-game road trip for the Spurs. San Antonio has amassed a 17-4 record on the road to equal the third best record in league history through the first 21 road games along with the 1996-97 Heat and 1996-97 Rockets. They are just behind the 1971-72 Lakers (20-1) and the 2015-16 Warriors (18-3). The best road record through the first 22 games is 21-1. Also, from 10/25/16 to 12/6/16, the Spurs amassed a 13-0 record on the road to produce the second best starting road record in NBA history and earn their longest overall road winning streak in franchise history.
Entering Thursday, Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs in scoring at 24.8 per contest. He had produced 30-plus points in each of the past four games, equaling the longest streak by any San Antonio player since Mike Mitchell had six straight in 1986. San Antonio had scored 100-plus points in each of its past 18 games, the longest streak by a Spurs team since going 22 straight in 1995.
This season the Spurs have held their opponents to 98.0 points-per- game, giving them their 22nd straight season allowing fewer than 100.0 points, which is the longest run in NBA history. Last year in Cleveland, the Spurs lost 117-103, one of their worst beatings of the year. Leonard scored 24, and LaMarcus Aldridge 15 for the Spurs, who entered allowing 90.6 points per game. The Cavs had more than that after three quarters.
“They pushed the ball,” said Spurs guard Tony Parker, who finished with 13 points. “They were still a very good team before. It’s one of those games where our defense just wasn’t there. We made too many mistakes, and against a good team, you can’t do that.”
Even with the addition of Korver, the Cavaliers’ 31 percent 3-point shooting in January is the second-worst in the NBA this month. Poor shooting overall has afflicted the team’s “Big Three” lately: LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have combined for 51.5 points per game on 36 percent shooting over the last four games.
Entering Thursday’s likely win over Phoenix, Cleveland had the 2nd-best home record in the NBA at 18-3 (.857), including a 9-1 mark in the last 10 home games. The Cavs are averaging 112.8 points at The Q, which includes six contests with 120 points or more. Since March 25, 2014, Cleveland holds a 71-5 record when scoring at least 100 points at The Q (17-1 this season). They have also won 39 straight home games when shooting at least .500 from the field (8-0 this season). The Cavs have really dominated the Western Conference. The Cavs have won 27 of their last 31 home games against the West (7-1 in 2016-17).
Overall, the Cavs are averaging 109.0 points per game this season (2nd in the East, 5th-best in NBA). They have scored at least 100 points in 30 of 40 games (including in 18 of 21 home contests) and at least 120 points on 10 occasions. Cleveland is the only undefeated team in the league when tied or leading after three quarters (25-0). The Cavs are a perfect 20-0 this season when they reach at least 110 points and 10-0 when scoring 120 points (Cavs had nine 120-point games in 2015-16).
San Antonio at Cleveland NBA Lines, Betting Pick & TV Info
When: Saturday, Jan. 21, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
TV: ABC
NBA Odds: Cavs favored by TBA
Why Bet on San Antonio?
“NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC” returns for its second season. Mike Breen and analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson and reporter Lisa Salters will provide game commentary. Hall of Famer Magic Johnson returns to ABC with host Sage Steele and Michael Wilbon for “NBA Countdown” at 7 p.m.This starts a four-game road trip for the Spurs. San Antonio has amassed a 17-4 record on the road to equal the third best record in league history through the first 21 road games along with the 1996-97 Heat and 1996-97 Rockets. They are just behind the 1971-72 Lakers (20-1) and the 2015-16 Warriors (18-3). The best road record through the first 22 games is 21-1. Also, from 10/25/16 to 12/6/16, the Spurs amassed a 13-0 record on the road to produce the second best starting road record in NBA history and earn their longest overall road winning streak in franchise history.
Entering Thursday, Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs in scoring at 24.8 per contest. He had produced 30-plus points in each of the past four games, equaling the longest streak by any San Antonio player since Mike Mitchell had six straight in 1986. San Antonio had scored 100-plus points in each of its past 18 games, the longest streak by a Spurs team since going 22 straight in 1995.
This season the Spurs have held their opponents to 98.0 points-per- game, giving them their 22nd straight season allowing fewer than 100.0 points, which is the longest run in NBA history. Last year in Cleveland, the Spurs lost 117-103, one of their worst beatings of the year. Leonard scored 24, and LaMarcus Aldridge 15 for the Spurs, who entered allowing 90.6 points per game. The Cavs had more than that after three quarters.
“They pushed the ball,” said Spurs guard Tony Parker, who finished with 13 points. “They were still a very good team before. It’s one of those games where our defense just wasn’t there. We made too many mistakes, and against a good team, you can’t do that.”
Why Bet on Cleveland?
The Cavs already have acquired Kyle Korver from Atlanta. Are they done dealing? Most likely as the Cavs will be paying $54 million in luxury taxes this season, so they’re pretty limited in what they can do, although the buyout market could present another opportunity to add a piece such as Andrew Bogut.Even with the addition of Korver, the Cavaliers’ 31 percent 3-point shooting in January is the second-worst in the NBA this month. Poor shooting overall has afflicted the team’s “Big Three” lately: LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have combined for 51.5 points per game on 36 percent shooting over the last four games.
Entering Thursday’s likely win over Phoenix, Cleveland had the 2nd-best home record in the NBA at 18-3 (.857), including a 9-1 mark in the last 10 home games. The Cavs are averaging 112.8 points at The Q, which includes six contests with 120 points or more. Since March 25, 2014, Cleveland holds a 71-5 record when scoring at least 100 points at The Q (17-1 this season). They have also won 39 straight home games when shooting at least .500 from the field (8-0 this season). The Cavs have really dominated the Western Conference. The Cavs have won 27 of their last 31 home games against the West (7-1 in 2016-17).
Overall, the Cavs are averaging 109.0 points per game this season (2nd in the East, 5th-best in NBA). They have scored at least 100 points in 30 of 40 games (including in 18 of 21 home contests) and at least 120 points on 10 occasions. Cleveland is the only undefeated team in the league when tied or leading after three quarters (25-0). The Cavs are a perfect 20-0 this season when they reach at least 110 points and 10-0 when scoring 120 points (Cavs had nine 120-point games in 2015-16).
