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5 Takeaways From San Antonio Spurs’ Win Over Cleveland Cavaliers

5 Takeaways From The San Antonio Spurs' Win Over Cleveland Cavaliers

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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The matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t disappoint. The possible NBA Finals meeting gave us insight into the strengths and weaknesses of both championship contenders. Let’s check out the five takeaways from the Spurs’ victory.

5. Anderson Varejao Is A Forgotten Piece

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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5. Anderson Varejao Is A Forgotten Piece

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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All the attention and focus has been on the Cavaliers' “Big Three” of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and LeBron James. Against the Spurs, Anderson Varejao showed why he may be the most valuable piece to the puzzle. If Varejao can put pressure on defenses by running the floor, rolling hard to the basketball and crashing the boards, the game opens up for every other player on the floor.

4. Cavaliers' Defense Is Improving

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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4. Cavaliers' Defense Is Improving

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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The biggest concern for the Cavaliers has been defense, but they looked like they were moving in the right direction against the Spurs. Cleveland’s 24th-ranked defense showed some grit, holding the Spurs to 90 total points and 20 points in the fourth quarter. The Cavs are allowing opponents to score 104.3 points per game this season.

3. Spurs’ Experience Is Key

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3. Spurs’ Experience Is Key

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The Spurs showed the NBA why they are still the team to beat. They closed out the Cavaliers in crunch time with good old-fashioned experience. Free throws, defense and timely buckets were the blueprint to victory. San Antonio has done it before and they’ll do it again.

2. Kyrie Irving Wants Control

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2. Kyrie Irving Wants Control

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The soap opera that is the Cavaliers were on full display against the Spurs. Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James obviously still have issues with sharing the rock. In the later moments of the game, Irving looked to take over as he’s been accustomed to do in the past. His 20 points on 15 attempts easily overshadowed Love’s 10 points and James’ 15 points. Irving won’t let go of his team.

1. LeBron James’ Mental Game

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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1. LeBron James’ Mental Game

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
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LeBron James has had a history of making questionable decisions under pressure. Despite his 15 points and nine assists, James had five turnovers (most on the team) against the Spurs. The most costly turnover sealed the Cleveland Cavaliers fate. This simple mistake was a product of an underlying mental roadblock, which stems from the embarrassing defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs last season.

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