SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs (9-18) extended their winning streak to three games with an exhilarating 112-111 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.
Keldon Johnson was dealing with a stomach bug, but started and scored 21 points before sealing the win with a monster block in the final moments. He also belly flopped in such a way that provided strong meme potential.
Josh Richardson had one of his strongest games in a Spurs jersey, pouring in 24 off the bench. Jeremy Sochan made his return, and came off the bench along with Devin Vassell.
San Antonio went on a huge run in the second quarter and built the lead out to 19 at one point. The Spurs were moving the ball well and scoring in the paint as Cleveland struggled to hit jumpers, which fueled transition opportunities the other way. They were ahead by 14 heading to the fourth quarter, but the Cavs ripped off a 7-0 run to start the final stanza and continued to close the gap.
Cleveland found soft spots in the mid-range as they continued to claw back, and Caris LeVert, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell took turns getting buckets. With three minutes left, Cleveland cut it to four.
Spurs hold off Cavs in thriller to win, 112-111
Vassell hopped back for an in-between jumper that fell. Garland got the points back with free throws, and bodies hit the floor going after a loose one with a minute left. The Cavs got it back after a hectic jump ball and a challenge, with both teams applying maximum effort.
Mitchell missed a three, got it back and made the shot to cut it to two, then Zach Collins got called for a moving screen. Collins got called for his sixth and final foul when Evan Mobley attempted a layup, but the big man missed the first before making it a one-point game.
Tre Jones missed a tough layup, and Mitchell went the other way with a full head of steam. He tried to lay it up and in for the late lead, but Keldon Johnson soared in and spiked it off the window. Cleveland had another crack at it, but couldn't get it to go and San Antonio pulled off the improbable upset with a heart-pounding 112-111 win.
PREVIOUS GAME
The Spurs are coming off a 115-111 road win over the Heat. The team also won its second-consecutive game.
Keldon Johnson had 21 points and six rebounds to lead the team while Tre Jones added 10 points. Romeo Langford finished with a career-high 19 points and six rebounds while Devin Vassell recorded 18 points and four rebounds off the bench.
The Spurs scored 54 points in the paint against the Heat after scoring 60 in the paint in their last game versus the Rockets.
"We did a good job at moving the ball and playing hard and it just happened to be that way tonight," Langford said. "It shows that the future is really bright for this group especially because we're young."
SPURS INJURY REPORT
THE UNIFORMS
The Spurs will be in their Classic Edition jerseys today.
HOW TO WATCH
Spurs fan can catch the Spurs in action tonight against the Cavs on KENS 5.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
1. The Spurs have recorded more blocks than their opponents in three-straight games.
2. The Spurs are 0-15 when trailing after the third period this season.
3. Spurs' Keldon Johnson has scored in double-figures in seven-straight games.
4. The Cavs have lost two-straight road games.
5. The Cavs are 14-3 this season when leading after the third period.
Stay here at KENS 5 throughout the season for complete Spurs coverage.
Twitter: @KENS5, @JeffGSpursKENS5