(My Sportsbook) - The
Cleveland Cavaliers are playing their worst
basketball of the season and hope the cozy confines of Quicken Loans Arena can cure their ills as they attempt to hang on to the NBA's best record.
Cleveland, which is an astonishing 36-1 at the "Q," hosts Southwest Division- leading San Antonio this afternoon.
The Cavs are coming off an 0-2 road trip and one of their worst losses of the season Friday in Orlando. Rashard Lewis scored 16 of his 22 points in a decisive third quarter in that one as the Magic pounded Cleveland 116-87, at Amway Arena.
LeBron James scored 26 points but shot just 7-of-20 from the field overall for the Cavs, who have lost two straight since winning a franchise record 13 in a row. The team has not dropped three in a row since March 22-29 of last season.
James also had nine rebounds and five assists against the Magic, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mo Williams each had 10 in the defeat, the largest of the season for Cleveland.
The Cavs now hold only a one game lead over the Lakers for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and LA holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series from Cleveland, 2-0.
"At one point, (the game was embarrassing)," James said. "I think, the fourth quarter, those guys who came in off the bench really helped. It was embarrassing at times. I've got a lot of pride, but they were a much better team, executed their game plan, played really well."
The Cavs worst loss of the year prior to Friday was a 19-point setback to the Rockets on February 26.
The Spurs, meanwhile, are holding on to a slim lead in the Southwest Division. and opened a three-game road trip in winning fashion on Friday when Tony Parker poured in 31 points and dished out a game-high 10 assists, as San Antonio hung on to defeat Indiana, 126-121, at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Tim Duncan added 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, who snapped a two- game skid. Michael Finley ended with 18 points. Manu Ginobili finished with 16 points, seven boards, and seven assists. Drew Gooden added 17 points off the bench for the victors.
San Antonio now sits atop the Southwest Division standings, 1 1/2 games ahead of Houston and two games in front of New Orleans. The Spurs are also one game behind Denver for the second spot in the Western Conference.
Cleveland has won five of its past six meetings with the Spurs, including a 97-86 win in San Antonio on February 27.