Cavs-Spurs: Starters, odds, injury report and TV channel

The Cleveland Cavaliers dispatched the shorthanded Utah Jazz in the fourth game of their six-game Western road trip on Wednesday, led by the efforts of Darius Garland, who had his first career triple-double, and Lamar Stevens, who had a career-high 23 points. The Cavaliers got 20 points from Lauri Markkanen, who was 4-of-5 from three-point range in that one.

Next up on the docket for the Cavaliers is a tilt with the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, the first leg of a closing back-to-back to this latest road trip.

The Spurs have gotten awesome play out of Dejounte Murray recently since he returned from a five-game absence, and although the Houston Rockets rallied back in it, Murray did have a 32-point triple-double in San Antonio’s close loss on Wednesday. He’s really shined this season, and in this contest, it’s evident a young Spurs team will try to get up-and-down a bunch.

The Cavs, who have rebounded in last two games, will again look to establish themselves in the paint, and shoot for their third straight W over a Spurs team that’s dropped its last four.

So, what do you have to know about this Cavs-Spurs matchup, and how to bet?

Looking at this next contest for Cleveland, it could be against another somewhat shorthanded club, as San Antonio will be without the likes of Tre Jones and could be without Derrick White. In set offense either way, I’d expect them to be committing plenty of guys to Murray.

With his expanding offensive game, he’ll get his production, but if Cleveland can manage the Spurs’ transition game, and get some themselves from Stevens and others, it should bode well. In set offense, the Cavs should have the advantage here.

Even still, when factoring in both ends, a matchup between Jarrett Allen and Jakob Poeltl should be entertaining, as both are two of the best rim protectors and rollers in the league, and they also have outstanding footwork.

Cavs-Spurs: Odds, spread and over/under

As far as the spread here, per our partners at WynnBet, Cleveland is favored by 3.5 over San Antonio.

The over/under is set for 221.0, with that being 112.0 for the Cavaliers and the Spurs’ being at 108.5.

Cavs-Spurs: Projected starters and injury report

Spurs starters: Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker IV, Josh Primo/Keldon Johnson, Keita Bates-Diop, Jakob Poeltl

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Lamar Stevens, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Spurs injuries: Tre Jones (out, health and safety protocols); Zach Collins (out, ankle); Devontae Cacok and Joe Weiskamp (out, G-League two-way); Derrick White (questionable, health and safety protocols); Drew Eubanks (probable, illness).

Cavs injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Ricky Rubio (out for season, knee); Isaac Okoro (questionable, elbow); Rajon Rondo (questionable, hamstring).

Cavaliers-Spurs: Prediction

The Cavaliers will again look to play plenty of opportunities through their bigs here, as Evan Mobley is coming off a game in which he had seven assists, and was getting to quality looks. Now, I would expect Keldon Johnson, whether he starts or comes off the bench again following his three-game absence in protocols, to be matched up on Mobley, given his physicality and wingspan even with a height disadvantage.

Either way, if Cleveland can get Markkanen and Stevens some great transition chances early on here, it could really get those two going. And if Rondo is available, his and Garland’s lead passes could help in that regard, also with Okoro, if he ends up playing; I could foresee that being off the bench.

At the same time though, the Cavs don’t want to unnecessarily push here, as even with Poeltl’s rim protection in set defense, if the Cavaliers are patient, the ball-swings should open up plenty of open looks.

Playing inside-out, with some timely drives has often led to plenty of success throughout games, and against a young Spurs club that’s middle of the pack and bottom 10 in opponent threes made and three-point percentage, I’ll be looking for that here again.

The likes of Johnson and Murray will be pushing hard to the goal in early offense, but if Cleveland can make them work, along with White, if he plays, in pick-and-roll, the Cavaliers should eventually be able to pull away here.

I’d expect the Wine and Gold to keep it going, and move to 28-14 against the spread this season.

Prediction: Cavs 112, Spurs 102

The Bet: Cavs (-3.5), UNDER

Cavaliers-Spurs: Where to watch

This matchup can be viewed on Bally Sports Ohio and Bally Sports Southwest, for those it applies in those respective markets.

And for fans subscribed/out of market for those, NBA League Pass will get the job done.

Cavs upcoming schedule:

After this Spurs game, the Cavaliers will have the second leg of this back-to-back at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, and on Monday, face Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving (I’d think), James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets for an afternoon game at home. It’ll be fascinating to see the Cavs respond on MLK Day after this six-game Western road trip, to go with if Rondo can be back by that game, and if Cleveland’s bigs can take advantage inside.

From there, the Cavs are on the road for their second meeting with the Chicago Bulls, who are currently leading the Eastern Conference, and shouldn’t be really shorthanded, as they were in the first meeting.