SAN ANTONIO – For the first time and only time during the regular season, the San Antonio Spurs will be hosting the defending Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James.
The Spurs winding, wild season continues. DeJounte Murray will start for the second straight game since being named to that position Sunday night, taking over the role from veteran Tony Parker.
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Murray and the Spurs are coming off a loss to the Pacers Sunday night, so they are looking to turn things around under Murray who now has the mantle of leadership.
"It will be fun, coach is going to have a great game plan for us at both ends of the floor, as players and professional we have to just go out and execute," Murray said.
It is and adjustment period for the Spurs, having Murray start and Parker come off the bench but it will also be an adjustment for other teams, especially and players like James, who have been in so many battles with the Spurs and Parker, although the Spurs system is the system and both players are solid.
"They are both quick guards, obviously with Tony and his hall of fame career he is still very productive and DeJounte being a part of this family here being a part of the Popovich system has given him and opportunity to learn so much coming out of school," James said.
The Spurs will be without Kawhi Leonard, Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol, who is nursing that right wrist and Manu Ginobili, who remains out with a right thigh contusion.
The Cavs looking to get a win but the Spurs not having their top notch guys takes a little away from the game.
"Injuries suck for basketball. Obviously me being a competitor, I love going against Kawhi. I hate that he is not playing tonight, but more importantly, I just want him to get back to 100 percent," James said. So do his teammates and the fans.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. from the AT&T Center.
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