The Cleveland Cavaliers have remained focused on their current stretch of opponents, even if they could be excused for looking ahead.
The Cavaliers aim for their third straight victory when they face the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland enters the matchup against San Antonio after recording back-to-back wins over the Washington Wizards, who own the league’s third-worst record at 6-28 entering play on Saturday.
Cleveland now turns its attention toward the Spurs and star rookie Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio has the league’s second-worst record at 5-29, despite Wembanyama’s impressive start.
The Cavaliers are seeking consistent play every night, regardless of the opponent. Donovan Mitchell led the way in a 114-90 win over Washington on Friday with 26 points, while Jarrett Allen posted his sixth straight double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
“We’re handling our business,” Mitchell said. “We wanted to come out and set the tone tonight, and I think we did that. We just played steady basketball throughout. I think the biggest thing is taking care of these games and continuing to move forward. It’s expected of us. That’s what we expected when we came out and did what we’re supposed to do.”
Cleveland has adjusted well following injuries to point guard Darius Garland (broken jaw) and forward Evan Mobley (left knee surgery). The Cavaliers are 7-3 without the pair, who are not expected back for another month.
Allen is averaging 19.7 points, 15.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in his last six games for Cleveland, which held Washington to a season-low point total on Friday.
“We came out extremely purposeful and kind of got busy, especially defensively, and converted it to offense,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We have a standard that we have to hold ourselves to all the time. We’re just trying to go out, play Cavs hoops as much as we can and see what happens.”
Cleveland will receive its first look at Wembanyama, who celebrated his 20th birthday with another stellar performance on Thursday in a 125-121 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wembanyama, who had 27 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, made a strong impression in his first meeting against Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Antetokounmpo said. “Can score any time he wants. Plays the right way. Plays to win. It was great playing against him.”
The Spurs also received a boost from guard Devin Vassell, who led the Spurs with 34 points on 14-of-21 shooting, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range.
Vassell is averaging 18.6 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. He tied a career high for made 3-pointers in the loss to Milwaukee.
“The team needs me to be aggressive,” Vassell said. “Tre (Jones), Vic (Wembanyama), KJ (Keldon Johnson), Jeremy (Sochan), everybody, was finding me. When somebody has got the hot hand like that, you just got to find ‘em and feed him, and that’s what they did.”
The Spurs are monitoring the status of guard Malaki Branham, who missed Thursday’s game with a sprained right ankle. Jones started in place of Branham against the Bucks and matched his season high with 18 points.
–Field Level Media
