Cavaliers Defeat the Spurs 117-115: Game Recap 1/7/24

Post-Game Recap

3 Key Factors Around the Victory

1 – Cavs Bench

The bench again for the Cavs is the real story, as the five reserves all rated positive in the plus/minus category and scored 60 points in the game, led by Caris LeVert’s 23.

2 – Allen

Jarrett Allen’s great play continues on Sunday with another double-double.  Allen scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. 

3 – Forward Woes

Cleveland got little production from the forward position in this game, getting only three points total from Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade. 

Game Summary

Jarrett Allen achieved his seventh consecutive double-double, contributing 29 points and 16 rebounds, while Caris LeVert added 23 points coming off the bench, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 117-115 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

In a notable performance, Victor Wembanyama, the top overall draft pick, recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocked shots in just 25 minutes for San Antonio. The 7-foot-3 Frenchman leads the NBA in blocks and tops the rookie charts in scoring, rebounding, and steals.

Over the past seven games, Allen has been maintaining an impressive average of 21.0 points and 15.7 rebounds, contributing to Cleveland’s three-game winning streak. The Cavaliers are set to head to France later in the day for their upcoming game in Paris against the Brooklyn Nets on January 11.

The fourth quarter witnessed an intense exchange of highlight-reel blocks between Wembanyama and Allen. Despite Cleveland building a 111-95 lead, San Antonio mounted a 20-6 run, narrowing the gap to two points in the final minute.

Although the Spurs had opportunities to take the lead, a crucial turnover by Jeremy Sochan and an off-target 31-footer at the buzzer denied them the victory. With a 5-30 record, the Spurs hold the second-worst record in the NBA and remain winless (0-11) against Eastern Conference opponents.

Sam Merrill contributed 18 points, and Donovan Mitchell had 17 points and nine assists for the Cavaliers, who have posted an 8-3 record since the absence of point guard Darius Garland (broken jaw) and power forward Evan Mobley (left knee surgery) until February.

Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 22 points, while Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson each added 18. Former Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman returned to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, contributing nine points and six rebounds in the game. Vassell’s 12 first-quarter points initially gave the Spurs a 14-point lead, but Merrill’s five 3-pointers helped Cleveland secure a 62-56 lead at halftime.

Up Next

Thursday in Paris vs Nets.