Cavs-Spurs Game 2: How Cleveland Can Get Competitive

Forget the fourth-quarter comeback that trimmed a 27-point deficit to a 103-92 outcome. As in Game One, the Cleveland Cavaliers dug themselves a hole too deep to climb out of on Sunday.

Their late charge only succeeded in forcing Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli to spend a few extra minutes on the court.

In fact, Game Two of the 2007 NBA Finals was decided when Cavs coach Mike Brown decided to sit LeBron James after two quick fouls. 

LeBron is the Cavs' first, second, and third scoring option and it was predictable that Cleveland's offense would flounder with him on the bench. Even worse: With their offensive confidence shot, the Cavs lost the mental focus needed to play lockdown defense.

By the time the King stepped back on the court, the Spurs had opened up a double-digit lead.

Doesn't Brown understand that James is too important to Cleveland's success for him to get any more than the briefest of rests? And didn't he realize that as a small forward, LeBron wasn't as likely to pick up another foul as, say, a power forward or a center?

Granted, guarding Tony Parker is always likely to result in whistles—but Brown could have switched LeBron onto Bruce Bowen to keep him out of foul trouble.

As it went, the Cavs spotted San Antonio a huge advantage, and James never got into a rhythm. Wayward dribbles, ugly jumpers, a transition travel, and an air-balled free throw were some of the lowlights of LeBron's day.

And he wasn't the only Cavalier to have a bad game.

As a team, the Cavs had fewer assists in the first half (three) than Tim Duncan managed by himself (five).

The Cavs' offensive rebounding prowess was negated by their inability to keep the Spurs off their own glass—each team managed 12 offensive boards.

Every Cleveland player had trouble finishing around the basket, and only Daniel Gibson and Drew Gooden were able to convert their opportunities with any kind of consistency.

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for the Spurs.

Parker penetrated at will and finished with 30 points. The Cavs had the right idea of playing him soft, but the Spurs countered by running very low screen/rolls—which left Parker at the basket when he came off the pick.

Ginobli was unafraid to attack the paint (earning and converting 11 free-throw attempts), and showed tremendous marksmanship from downtown (4-6 3FG). Ginobli also made his presence felt on the backboards (six rebounds) and on defense (three steals) to say nothing of his 25 points.

Duncan, who finished with 23 points and nine rebounds, was brilliant. Against Zydrunas Ilgauskas, he relied on hooks, driving runners, and midrange bank shots. Against Gooden and Anderson Varejao, he was more likely to spin to the baseline and draw fouls. When he was doubled, Duncan found open shooters and cutters to the tune of eight assists.

One quiet source of brilliance for the Spurs: Robert Horry, who dominated the first half with nine rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two points. Horry's rotations made life miserable for slashers trying to finish down low and shooters who could've sworn they were open.

And still fans continue to undervalue the guy because of his lack of scoring—as if Gregg Popovich gives a damn how many baskets Horry gets.

So what can Cleveland do to get competitive in the rest of the series?

First, LeBron needs to make his jump shots early to keep the Spurs from sagging defensively. If the Spurs are going to let LeBron shoot, he has got to make them pay.

James also needs to stop making careless behind-the-back dribbles. He s losing the handle on too many of them—and coughing up too many turnovers.

Gibson needs to play earlier in games and have his number called more often—he's shown an ability to hit his jumpers and convert difficult layups. Conversely, Larry Hughes needs to be given a permanent seat on the bench.

The Cavalier role players (Hughes, Sasha Pavlovic, Donyell Marshall) need to do a better job converting their open looks, and Pavlovic needs to start making his layups.

On defense, Cleveland needs to clamp down on Parker and force San Antonio's three-point shooters to beat them. I'd take my chances with Ginobli, Bowen, and Michael Finley over Parker right now.

Most importantly, Cleveland needs to start playing with the confidence, fearlessness, and swagger that got them to the Finals in the first place.

That said, it's obvious to everyone that the Spurs are the better team here. Unless LeBron is stronger than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, and able to leap tall help defenders in a single bound, the Cavs will fall in five games—if not four.

When that happens, LeBron can keep his crown. Duncan will have the ring.