ducks
11-04-2005, 08:26 AM
Cleveland (1-0) at San Antonio (1-0)
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 8:00 pm EST Fri Nov 4, 2005
TV: ESPN Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
LeBron James thinks his Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to be a serious NBA contender.
The superstar forward and his teammates will get a chance to gauge their abilities against the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs at the SBC Center.
James, playing his first regular-season game with new teammates brought in to help get Cleveland into the playoffs, made six 3-pointers and scored 31 points as Cleveland won its season opener 109-87 over New Orleans on Wednesday.
James feels 50 victories is a realistic goal for the Cavaliers, who went 42-40 last season and just missed the postseason after collapsing down the stretch.
``I think we can get to 50,'' he said. Asked what Cleveland has that it didn't last year, James said: ``Everything.''
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James made five straight 3-pointers and scored 24 points in the first half as the Cavs built a 21-point lead.
``It was amazing,'' Cavs forward Donyell Marshall said. ``We were just like the fans, we wanted (James) to keep shooting, too.''
The Cavaliers spent $150 million in free agency this summer, signing Larry Hughes, Marshall, Damon Jones and re-signing Zydrunas Ilgauskas to make sure James won't fall short of the playoffs again.
The quartet combined for 52 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists Wednesday, but it was James' deadeye outside shooting that put the game out of reach early and helped rookie Cleveland coach Mike Brown win his debut.
James' teammates will have to do more than just watch to beat the talented Spurs on Friday.
San Antonio did not sit on its heels in the offseason, adding talented veterans Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel to their championship squad.
Finley scored 11 of his 16 points off the bench during a four-minute span of the fourth quarter Tuesday to help the Spurs beat Denver 102-91 in the season opener for both teams.
``I'm just trying to find my niche on the team,'' said Finley.
San Antonio point guard Tony Parker scored 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter on 7-for-7 shooting.
STANDINGS (through Nov. 3): Cavaliers - 3rd place (tied), 1/2 GB, Central Division. Spurs - 1st place (tied), Southwest Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Cavaliers - F James, F Drew Gooden, C Ilgauskas, G Eric Snow, G Hughes. Spurs - F Bruce Bowen, F Tim Duncan, C Rasho Nesterovic, G Parker, G Manu Ginobili.
TEAM LEADERS: Cavaliers - James, 31 ppg; Marshall, 9 rpg; Hughes, 6 apg. Spurs - Parker, 26 ppg; Duncan, 10 rpg and 6 apg.
2004-2005 SEASON SERIES: Spurs, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: Feb. 28; Spurs, 94-92. At Cleveland, Duncan made a wide-open 19-footer just before the final horn sounded to lead the Spurs over the Cavs. Duncan finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds. James had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Cavaliers - 0-0 on the road; Spurs - 1-0 at home.
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 8:00 pm EST Fri Nov 4, 2005
TV: ESPN Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
LeBron James thinks his Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to be a serious NBA contender.
The superstar forward and his teammates will get a chance to gauge their abilities against the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs at the SBC Center.
James, playing his first regular-season game with new teammates brought in to help get Cleveland into the playoffs, made six 3-pointers and scored 31 points as Cleveland won its season opener 109-87 over New Orleans on Wednesday.
James feels 50 victories is a realistic goal for the Cavaliers, who went 42-40 last season and just missed the postseason after collapsing down the stretch.
``I think we can get to 50,'' he said. Asked what Cleveland has that it didn't last year, James said: ``Everything.''
ADVERTISEMENT
James made five straight 3-pointers and scored 24 points in the first half as the Cavs built a 21-point lead.
``It was amazing,'' Cavs forward Donyell Marshall said. ``We were just like the fans, we wanted (James) to keep shooting, too.''
The Cavaliers spent $150 million in free agency this summer, signing Larry Hughes, Marshall, Damon Jones and re-signing Zydrunas Ilgauskas to make sure James won't fall short of the playoffs again.
The quartet combined for 52 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists Wednesday, but it was James' deadeye outside shooting that put the game out of reach early and helped rookie Cleveland coach Mike Brown win his debut.
James' teammates will have to do more than just watch to beat the talented Spurs on Friday.
San Antonio did not sit on its heels in the offseason, adding talented veterans Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel to their championship squad.
Finley scored 11 of his 16 points off the bench during a four-minute span of the fourth quarter Tuesday to help the Spurs beat Denver 102-91 in the season opener for both teams.
``I'm just trying to find my niche on the team,'' said Finley.
San Antonio point guard Tony Parker scored 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter on 7-for-7 shooting.
STANDINGS (through Nov. 3): Cavaliers - 3rd place (tied), 1/2 GB, Central Division. Spurs - 1st place (tied), Southwest Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Cavaliers - F James, F Drew Gooden, C Ilgauskas, G Eric Snow, G Hughes. Spurs - F Bruce Bowen, F Tim Duncan, C Rasho Nesterovic, G Parker, G Manu Ginobili.
TEAM LEADERS: Cavaliers - James, 31 ppg; Marshall, 9 rpg; Hughes, 6 apg. Spurs - Parker, 26 ppg; Duncan, 10 rpg and 6 apg.
2004-2005 SEASON SERIES: Spurs, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: Feb. 28; Spurs, 94-92. At Cleveland, Duncan made a wide-open 19-footer just before the final horn sounded to lead the Spurs over the Cavs. Duncan finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds. James had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Cavaliers - 0-0 on the road; Spurs - 1-0 at home.