Cavs Pursue Top Seed as Playoffs Approach; Key Players Rest

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are determined to secure the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference as they approach the end of the NBA regular season. With two weeks remaining, the Cavs, sitting at 58-14, are 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Boston Celtics (54-19), and their magic number to clinch the top playoff spot is six.

The Cavaliers face the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 7 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, following a solid 122-111 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. During that game, Darius Garland led the way with 27 points and eight assists, while Ty Jerome contributed 25 points off the bench, and Evan Mobley added 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Despite their impressive record, the Cavaliers are taking a cautious approach to their lineup as they prioritize health ahead of the playoffs. Coach Kenny Atkinson is not overly concerned with securing the top seed, stating, “If it’s the first seed, second seed, third seed, I don’t know. Maybe I should be putting more credence into that.” He emphasized the importance of having his team at full strength come playoff time.

The Cavs have intentionally rested some key players, including forward Evan Mobley, who is resting for tonight’s game, and rookie wing Jaylon Tyson, who is sidelined due to a left knee bone bruise. Point guard Ty Jerome is questionable with left knee soreness but is expected to sit out tonight.

In contrast, the Spurs are dealing with their own injury challenges, having ruled out center Charles Bassey, guard De’Aaron Fox, and center Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs enter the game with a record of 31-40.

While tonight’s matchup is crucial for playoff positioning, it also holds personal significance for the Spurs’ Branham, a graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. He has averaged 3.9 points in his second season with the Spurs.

The Cavaliers have thrived at home this season, boasting a 30-5 record, and have set a team record for the most road wins in a single season with 28 victories. The East-leading Cavs will look to maintain their momentum as they prepare for the postseason.

Jerome’s strong performance last game, where he scored 13 of his points in the third quarter, played a significant role in keeping the Cavaliers ahead. Coach Billups praised the improvement of the Blazers’ Toumani Camara, who has raised his 3-point shooting percentage from 33.7% to 37.8% this season. “That shot is legit and it’s real. We depend on that,” Billups said.

Fans can catch the action tonight on local television and listen via radio broadcasts on WMMS and WTAM.