San Antonio had trouble stopping the Cavaliers as an eight-point fourth-quarter lead became an 82-78 road loss. Tony Parker poured in 26 points, and Tim Duncan had 18 for the Spurs while LeBron James had 19 and Larry Hughes 18 for the Cavaliers.

During the first quarter both teams went to their go to guys.  The Spurs worked the ball inside to Duncan who made 2 layups for four of his eight first quarter points.  Meanwhile LeBron James threw down on 2 buckets for four of his eight first quarter points.  James added a couple of jumpers and a free throw and had 15 points at half time although the Spurs had the lead at that point 40 - 33.

The Spurs went up by ten 49 -39 when Brent Barry made a jump shot with 3:43 left in the third quarter.   Tough defensive play in that quarter resulted in the teams combining for just 21 points as the Spurs were held to a season-low 10 points.

Tony Parker went on a tear in the fourth quarter scoring sixteen of his points in that period.  However, during that time Cleveland made a 6 point run from 11:20 to 9:45 in the fourth tying the game at 52.  Larry Hughs who had struggled some in the first half then became a vocal leader showing grit and determination as he got hot scoring five straight points for the Cavs giving them the lead at 60 - 57.  Lebron James picked it up from there adding four more points extending the lead to 70 - 63.  Damon Jones knocked it on out with a jumper and six straight free throws down the stretch.  The Cavs scored 36 points in the final frame to take the 82-78 win.

Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown felt,  "It was a very big win for us aginst a tough defensive team in a playoff type game where one team keeps it up for 48 minutes and the other eventually breaks."

And to think that Larry Hughes' father-in-law lived two doors down from me in the old neighborhood in St. Louis.  I learned that when Odell was detailing some very nice rides one day and I told him I didn't know whose cars those were but that he should charge that guy double.  That's when he told me they were Larry's.  Odell, ask Larry if he can go easy on my Spurs next time.  OK?