CLEVELAND, Ohio — With just six games remaining in the regular season, the Cavs are on the doorstep of securing something they haven’t touched in years: the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Holding a 61-15 record, Cleveland rolls into Frost Bank Center on Friday needing only two more wins — or a combination of wins and losses from second-place Boston — to clinch home-court advantage through the East playoffs.
Standing in the way of Cleveland’s pursuit of another historic accolade: the San Antonio Spurs. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. Eastern.
Even so, this game is about maintaining rhythm, controlling the game, and continuing to reinforce the identity that’s made the Cavs one of the league’s most complete teams on both ends of the floor.
A prime opportunity, not a trap
The Spurs enter the game 32-44, far removed from the postseason race and without their franchise cornerstone.
Victor Wembanyama, sidelined by a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, won’t suit up again this season. The same goes for De’Aaron Fox, whose brief but intriguing stint in San Antonio was cut short following surgery on his finger. Throw in Jeremy Sochan (back inflammation) and it’s clear the Spurs’ rotation is operating without much of its foundational structure.
But if you’re Cleveland, the challenge isn’t talent — it’s approach.
With high postseason stakes looming, games like these can invite bad habits. The Cavs can’t afford that. They’re still fine-tuning rotations without Dean Wade, who missed the trip due to illness and will be sidelined for the second straight game. Ty Jerome remains out as well, missing his fifth straight game with lingering knee tendinitis.
Eyes on the details
In their last meeting, the Cavs allowed the undermanned Spurs to keep the game close through five players scoring in double figures, including 22 points apiece from Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell.
The Cavs’ defense will be a priority in how they attack San Antonio’s ball handlers and creators.
And it’s another game for the Cavs to continue improving their rebounding numbers after a month that saw teams overpower them on the boards.
Without Wembanyama or Sochan patrolling the interior, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen should dominate the paint on both ends.
Offensively, the Cavs have a chance to test combinations and re-center their ball movement, particularly against a team that’s bottom six in defensive rating.
Garland’s tempo control and Mitchell’s isolation prowess have coexisted more comfortably this year, but against inferior competition, the goal will be to keep both engaged without falling into predictable sets.
One subtle wrinkle to watch: How Kenny Atkinson orchestrates rotations in Wade’s absence.
Isaac Okoro may see extended minutes. Atkinson could continue to get a better look at De’Andre Hunter with the Core Four. Or the first-year Cavs coach could experiment with more small-ball lineups anchored by Mobley alone.
For San Antonio: Spoiler mode is activated, but player development remains the main emphasis.
How to watch the Cavs: See how to watch the Cavs games with this handy game-by-game TV schedule.
Here’s what to know about the matchup:
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs
Series: Final matchup of the regular season.
Where: Frost Bank Center
When: 8:00 p.m. ET.
The point spread: Cavs minus-13.5; O/U 241.5
TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio
Injury Report
CAVS:
Out:
Ty Jerome (knee tendinitis); Dean Wade (illness).
SPURS:
Out:
Victor Wembanyama (right shoulder – deep vein thrombosis); De’Aaron Fox (left fifth finger – extensor tendon surgery); Jeremy Sochan (low back – inflammation); David Duke Jr. (two-way); Harrison Ingram (two-way); Riley Minix (two-way).
Questionable:
Charles Bassey (left knee – acute-on-chronic bone bruise injury management).
Probable:
Keldon Johnson (low back – tightness).
