Cavs-Spurs: Starters, odds, injury report and TV info for Wednesday

It had been rumored for weeks that the Cleveland Cavaliers were seeking perimeter/wing help with their injuries, and even more so with Darius Garland, who has missed Cleveland’s last four games, recently dealing with back soreness.

With that having been the case and with likely Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio being out for the season, it was hardly surprising that the Cavaliers acquired Caris LeVert and a second-round pick from the Indiana Pacers via trade for Rubio’s expiring deal, a lottery-protected first from Cleveland and two seconds. You can view more on the reported details here.

It’ll be interesting to see how LeVert, who has been a rumored target for Cleveland for quite some, can fit the Cavs, who have found ways to get Ws, despite their share of injuries this season.

In that realm, it appears that we could see him play for the first time with the Cavaliers, who are set to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. The two teams met in San Antonio a few weeks back in what was a back-and-forth contest with Cleveland pulling it out down the stretch, largely behind a heck of a fourth quarter from Darius Garland.

The Spurs do have their share of intriguing young pieces, but are still seemingly in the earlier stages of a rebuild. They do have a shot at a play-in berth, though, and it’s not as if the Cavs having had their lulls at times with Garland out, in particular.

For added context, even with inconsistencies in going 3-5 in their last eight games, the Spurs have been sixth in offensive rating in that span of games. The Cavs, by context, are 22nd; fortunately for their sake, they’re 6-2 in that stretch.

So what do you need to know about this one, and how to bet?

The Cavaliers, again, could be looking to get LeVert his first game action with the club here, as he reportedly participated fully in practice on Tuesday. If he plays, I would probably expect him to start, or possibly be a go-to bench guy that they deplot as a key scorer and/or playmaking presence, and he seems likely to go.

It’ll be intriguing to see how he does, provided he plays, in lineups with other guys, whether or not Garland plays, and on the other end, can Cleveland contain Dejounte Murray better than the first meeting when he had a 30-plus-point triple double? And if he’s not traded, what’s the plan for the Cavaliers defensively for extended stretches for Derrick White?

Isaac Okoro should get time on both, for what it’s worth, but it’s still something to keep an eye on in this one.

Regardless, I do think that it’s important for the Wine and Gold to get LeVert plenty of opportunities to get going with his new team, if they deem it’s fine for him to go, with or without Garland in the lineup.

Cavaliers-Spurs: Odds, spread and over/under

According to our partners at WynnBet, the Cavaliers are currently having by 7 over the Spurs on Wednesday.

The over/under total for this one is set for 219, with that being 113 for Cleveland and 106 for San Antonio at this point.

Cavs-Spurs: Projected starters and injury report

Spurs starters: Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott, Jakob Poeltl

Cavs starters: Brandon Goodwin/Darius Garland, Caris LeVert/Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade/Cedi Osman, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Spurs injuries: Lonnie Walker IV (questionable, knee); Tre Jones (questionable, dental procedure); Devontae Cacok and Joe Wieskamp (out, G League assignment).

Cavs injuries: Lauri Markkanen (out, ankle); Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Darius Garland (questionable, back).

Cavaliers-Spurs: Prediction

As we alluded to, LeVert is set to go it appears, and in that scenario, I’d expect to see the Cavs work him in with some opportunities to get downhill off dribble handoffs, chances to playmake and I’d look for some pick-and-roll with him and Jarrett Allen. Those two had a nice rapport with the Brooklyn Nets as teammates.

So obviously, LeVert’s seemingly likely first game with Cleveland is the key storyline in this one.

We could see Garland back in there for the Wine and Gold here, which would be another; it’s uncertain at this juncture if that will play out, though, and if not, Brandon Goodwin could register another start. He struggled in Cleveland’s last win over the Pacers; even still, he’s often done a fine job, but with San Antonio’s guards, I’d anticipate LeVert to get plenty of primary playmaking opportunities instead, honestly.

Will we see Isaac Okoro starting, or LeVert perhaps as a first sub is another intriguing aspect of the game to watch, as it’s not yet set regarding that. Either way, LeVert I’d imagine will certainly get starter’s minutes.

And lastly, whether or not he starts, what kind of game do the Cavs get from Cedi Osman here? I’d think Kevin Love could be on once again at times in relief of Evan Mobley and/or Jarrett Allen, however, Osman getting hot in stretches also, could make a difference in gaining control.

Both Osman and Love were on fire in the fourth quarter to put the game away versus the Pacers in that last comeback W, and they could be a boost for the Cavaliers here as well. We truly never know with Osman, though.

As far as the end result, I have to go with the Cavs again here, but with some uncertain involving Garland and them working LeVert into things, I do believe the Spurs will cover. That’s a pretty healthy spread; I do believe it’ll be more higher scoring than some recent Cavaliers games, in fairness, as there could be more of a frenetic pace here.

Prediction: Cavs 111, Spurs 107

The Bet: Spurs (+7), UNDER

Cavaliers-Spurs: How to watch

This matchup can be seen for those subscribed in the respective markets on Bally Sports Ohio and Bally Sports Southwest.

And for fans not in-market and subscribed as an alternative, or without those options in-market, streaming via NBA League Pass will get the job done.

Cavs upcoming schedule:

After this second Spurs game, the Cavaliers will take on LeVert’s former squad in the Pacers once again on Friday for the first time on the road this season. That will feature a new-look Indy squad with Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, seemingly, who were the key pieces acquired from the Sacramento Kings in a Damontas Sabonis-centric trade that went down on Tuesday.

Following that matchup, Cleveland will face the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time this season on the road, will that one being the second leg of a back-to-back for both teams. It should be intriguing to see how the Cavs match up against Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and company, well seemingly with Maxey involved still. Whether or not Ben Simmons could be possibly dealt, that should be quite the matchup.

And from there, the Cavs will have two full days of rest before playing Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks on the road on Tuesday. That’ll be their first of two meetings at Atlanta this season; the Cavs will look to go 2-1 against them this regular season before the league has an extended break for All-Star festivities which will be in Cleveland, and should be awesome.