Cavaliers Survive Spurs’ Late-Game Scare, Sweep Three-Game Homestand

Despite allowing a late 11-0 San Antonio run, Cleveland held on for a 117-115 victory.

On Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a three-game homestand sweep with a victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Though it took all 48 minutes of regulation to determine the winner of the game.

After a Caris LeVert layup gave the Cavaliers a 117-104 lead with 2:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Spurs went on a last-minute offensive surge to make it a one possession game. San Antonio used an 11-0 run to trim Cleveland’s lead to 117-115 with 41 seconds left in the final period.

Eventually, LeVert had a layup blocked with two seconds remaining, giving the Spurs a chance to win the game. But a missed half-court heave as time expired sealed the win for the Wine and Gold.

Jan 7, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) celebrates his three-point basket in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

After the game, Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was asked if late-game execution is a long-term concern for the team.

“No. This is something that I think today is different [than in Toronto this past Monday]. I thought in Toronto, we got looks that we wanted, we just didn’t make looks. [Today], again, I’ll take responsibility. I just think there was a lot of stuff going on around this game, and preparation for what’s next. And we just took an early exit mentally. But, again, it’s things that we’ll continue to work on for sure, because we know how important those are. But I’m not concerned about it with this group.”

On January 1, Cleveland fell to the Toronto Raptors by a score of 124-121 after being tied at 118 apiece with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Today, however, the Wine and Gold were able to come away with a victory.

Up next, the Cavaliers will travel to Paris, France to face the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday at 2 p.m. EST.