Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs Statistical Showdown

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Apr 22, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half at the AT

On paper, the San Antonio Spurs are arguably the most efficient team in the league. They are fourth in the league in scoring, second in the league in efficient field goal percentage and first in the NBA in assists. However, they do have one glaring weakness that the Cavaliers could capitalize on: offensive rebounding. When you look at the stats, the Spurs are dead last in the league in offensive rebounding. The Cavs – it just so happens – are 10^th in the league that category, led by Tristan Thompson. So while the cards are not stacked in the Cavaliers’ favor tonight, when it comes to rebounding, there is some hope.

Statistics

	Points	Points Allowed	Assists	Assists Allowed	Rebounds	Rebounds Allowed
Cavaliers	97.0 (15^th)	101.4 (26^th)	20.3 (25^th)	23.7 (27^th)	41.0 (20^th)	42.3 (17^th)
Spurs	104.3 (4^th)	95.8 (8^th)	25.0 (1^st)	20.8 (6^th)	40.8 (25^th)	42.4 (18^th)

Advanced Statistics

	Offensive Efficiency	Defensive Efficiency
Cavaliers	100.7 (t-19^th)	106.9 (28^th)
Spurs	107.5 (5^th)	98.5 (3^rd)

Four Factors

	eFG%	Free Throw Rate	Turnover Rate	Offensive Rebound Rate
Cavaliers	47.3% (23^th)	20.1 (12^th)	13.3% (23rd)	28.8% (10^th)
Spurs	54.1% (2^nd)	20.3% (13^th)	13.9% (15^th)	20.1% (30^th)

Players to Watch:

Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, point guard

1. Shooting 53.2 percent in wins (43.9 percent in losses)

2. Averaging 29.1 points in wins (21.2 in losses)

3. Averages the same number of assists (5.5 per game) in wins and losses

Spurs: Tony Parker, point guard

1. Averages 21.6 points in wins (17.5 in losses)

2. Shooting 55.6 percent in wins (45.1 percent in losses)

3. Averaging 8.1 assists in wins (6.3 in losses)

Key Matchup: Kyrie Irving vs. Tony Parker

When two of the NBA’s best point guards square off tonight in Cleveland, I will give the advantage to Irving. He is younger, more explosive and a way better scorer. But Parker, a former Finals MVP, cannot be counted out here. For Cleveland to win this game, Irving is going to need to dominate this matchup and let Cleveland dictate the pace. If the Spurs can get into their groove and keep the game at a slowed down tempo, they will dominate this game. While the teams are not that far apart in John Hollinger’s ESPN rankings (the Spurs being seventh, the Cavs being ninth), the Spurs are a far more effective team when it comes to successfully implementing their pace. That starts (and largely ends) with the point guard position.