17 stats to explain Cavs 113-101 win over Spurs

The Spurs finished with their lowest point total of the season. Their fewest going into Monday’s game was 102.

San Antonio converted just 55.2% of their attempts at the rim (13th percentile). The Spurs came into this game completing 67.9% of their shots in the restricted area. This led to Cleveland having a narrow 48-46 advantage in points in the paint.

San Antonio had an 87.1 offensive rating with Victor Wembanyama on the floor. It’s always dangerous to read too much into a player’s offensive rating for a single game. I’m just highlighting this as some sort of proof that the Cavs did a great job of defending Wemby with their jumbo starting front court of Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

The Spurs also went 7-31 (22.6%) from three. Cleveland played good defense and took away what Wembanyama and the Spurs’ offense do best. However, they did benefit from an exceptionally poor shooting night from San Antonio.

Cleveland shot 31% or worse from three for the 14th time this season. They went 13-42 from beyond the arc. They are now 5-8 when they fail to eclipse 31% shooting from three.

Donovan Mitchell’s 10 points are his lowest point total for a game this season. He also took a season-low 12 field-goal attempts in the win.

This was the first game the Cavs have won this season when Mitchell plays and scores 21 or fewer points. Cleveland is now 1-6 in these situations. Conversely, they’re 8-1 when he scores 35 or more points. The team has typically gone as Mitchell’s scoring has this season.

Mitchell did make an impact as a facilitator with seven assists. It was the eighth time this season he provided seven or more assists. The Cavs are 4-3 when he does so.

The Cavs are now 7-1 when Allen scores 16 or more points. Moreover, they’re 6-0 when he takes 10 or more shots. Getting Allen more involved has led to good things for the Cavs.

The Cavaliers held San Antonio to just 11 offensive rebounds. This is a good number against a team that came into this game 10th in offensive rebounding percentage. The Spurs narrowly won the second-chance points battle 17-15.

Jaylon Tyson hit three triples in the fourth quarter. This was the second time he’s hit three triples in the fourth quarter of a game this season. Tyson scored nine points in the final frame, and the Cavs won the five and a half minutes he was on the floor by 12 points.

De’Andre Hunter was a team-high +14 in the fourth quarter. Hunter played arguably his most complete game of the season. He made an impact on the glass as he finished with a season-high nine rebounds.

Evan Mobley had three blocks in the win. This was the fifth time he’s had three or more blocks in a game this season. Cleveland is now 4-1 when he does.

The Cavs’ offense registered a 78.4 halfcourt offensive rating (7th percentile). Cleveland’s guards struggled with San Antonio’s length inside, particularly Wemby’s shot-blocking capabilities.

Cleveland added 9.1 points in transition per 100 possessions (90th percentile) in the win. They did a good job of running off of steals (20 points off of turnovers) and offensive rebounds. Adding transition points is crucial when you struggle from three and in the half-court as much as the Cavs did.

Darius Garland picked up a season-high 11 assists. This was the fourth time he’s had a double-digit assist total this season. The Cavs are 2-2 when he does.

The Cavaliers are now 4-8 against teams that are inside the top ten of point differential. Two of those wins have come against the Spurs.