Keith Srak / Associated PressManny Harris drives to the basket against San Antonio's Garrett Temple during the Cavaliers' exhibition victory over the Spurs' in Pittsburgh Thursday night. Pittsburgh -- It's getting to the point where it would be great to actually see what Byron Scott has this season. He's not the least bit worried about the fact that he hasn't...
Manny Harris drives to the basket against San Antonio's Garrett Temple during the Cavaliers' exhibition victory over the Spurs' in Pittsburgh Thursday night.Pittsburgh -- It's getting to the point where it would be great to actually see what Byron Scott has this season. He's not the least bit worried about the fact that he hasn't been able to play Anderson Varejao or Mo Williams yet, and may be without Antawn Jamison or Anthony Parker for a bit.
Wouldn't it be great to see all five starters, whoever they are?
Under Mike Brown, the Cavs always said they were a no-excuses team, and that seems to be the case again.
Nobody needs to make excuses for a team that's 4-1 in the preseason with a new coach and a new system. I'm just anxious to see all the pieces together.
Cavs 106, Spurs 80
J.J. Hickson had 18 points and nine rebounds and the Cavaliers held the San Antonio Spurs to 37 percent shooting en route to a 106-80 victory before 5,121 fans on Thursday night in the Petersen Events Center.
It was a costly victory for the Cavs. Forward Antawn Jamison left with a sprained left knee with 7:22 left in the second quarter, although it is not believed to be serious. At halftime, Anthony Parker went out with a sprained right ring and middle finger. X-rays were negative. Manny Harris started for Parker in the second half and played the final 24 minutes, finishing with 11 points.
The Cavs improved to 4-1 in the preseason, while the Spurs are 2-2.
Third quarter: Cavs 79, Spurs 62.
J.J. Hickson has 21 points as the Cavs pulling away from San Antonio. Manny Harris started for Anthony Parker in the second half, and he and Gibson have had a stablizing influence.
Cavs guard Anthony Parker has a sprained right ring and middle finger. X-rays at halftime were negative, but he will not return. He appeared to hurt the hand early in the game, shaking it repeatedly and trying to play through it.
Halftime: Cavs 50, Spurs 41
Daniel Gibson had nine points to lead the Cavs charge, but with 7:22, Antawn Jamison went down under the Spurs basket and then limped off to the locker room. The Cavs say he has a sprained left knee and will not return, but it is not believed to be serious.
Just when it looked as if the Cavs were ready to get Anderson Varejao and Mo Williams back, losing Jamison for any length of time would hurt. The team still can tell exactly what it has.
First quarter: Cavs 23, Spurs 21
Ramon Sessions has eight points to lead the Cavs against what will be the Spurs bench when starters Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Richard Jefferson return. Former Pitt star DeJuan Blair has six points and three rebounds to lead the Spurs.
In fact, there are more Blair jerseys than Cavs jerseys, in spite of the fact that this is a Cavs home game.
Cavs starters: F Jamario Moon, F J.J. Hickson, C Ryan Hollins, G Anthony Parker, G Ramon Sessions
Spurs starters: F James Anderson, F Antonio McDyess, C DeJuan Blair, G Gary Neal, G George Hill
Not playing: Anderson Varejao, Mo Williams for Cleveland; Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Richard Jefferson for San Antonio
Officials: Kevin Fehr, Kane Fitzgerald, Greg Willard
Three things to watch
1. Jamario Moon will make his second straight start at small forward with Antawn Jamison coming off the bench as coach Byron Scott tries to hone in on a starting lineup. Is this a hint, or just more experimentation?
2. Will Manny Jackson get another chance to show what he can do, as he did down the stretch in both games in Texas?
3. Will DeJuan Blair put on a show for the fans who came to watch the University of Pittsburgh alum?
Be sure to check back for updates.
Anderson Varejao and Mo Williams took part in this morning's practice at the Cleveland Clinic courts, but they will not play in tonight's preseason game against San Antonio in Pittsburgh, coach Byron Scott said.
"I'm really happy with their progress, but we're being a little more cautious.''
Varejao, still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the world championships last summer, was gone almost two weeks after the death of his grandfather in Brazil. Williams is recovering from a groin injury.
Scott was not ready to announce his starters for tonight's game. Check back here for a pre-game update.
Cavaliers Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Tait remains hospitalized in Houston with pneumonia but is improving and hopes to return to Ohio in the near future. In his absence, Fred McLeod and Campy Russell will broadcast tonight's game against San Antonio in Pittsburgh.
Mike Snyder and Jim Chones will handle Saturday's radio broadcast against CSKA. Snyder and Russell will handle Tuesday's game against Philadelphia at Cincinnati, and McLeod and Austin Carr will handle the pre-season finale against Milwaukee at Columbus on Oct. 21.