Prizing:

1st Place: $50 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Saturday, January 21st, the (32-9) San Antonio Spurs will be on the road to take on the (29-11) Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Crowd:  

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Cavaliers 105.4 – Spurs 103.1 with an over/under of 208.5.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Spurs +8.9 (2^nd) > Cavaliers +4.9 (6^th)

Points per game: Cavaliers 109.0 (5^th) > Spurs 107.1 (8^th)

Points allowed per game: Spurs 98.4 (2^nd) > Cavaliers 104.1 (12^th)

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Spurs 48.1% (2^nd) > Cavaliers 45.1% (17^th)

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Spurs 44.6% (7^th) > Cavaliers 45.3% (15^th)

Three Point Percentage: Spurs 41.5% (1^st) > Cavaliers 38.2% (4^th)

Turnovers committed per game: Spurs 12.7 (10^th) > Cavaliers 13.4 (16^th)

Turnovers forced per game: Spurs 12.7 (10^th) > Cavaliers 13.4 (16^th)

Rebounds per game: Cavaliers 44.0 (tied for 11^th) > Spurs 42.8 (21^st)

Assists per game: Spurs 24.2 (5^th) > Cavaliers 21.3 (20^th)

Summary:

Yes, Cleveland looked terrible in their blowout loss to the Warriors on Monday, but keep in mind it was at the end of a brutal West Coast trip that saw them play five games in eight days.  Cleveland is (6-4) in their last ten games while San Antonio is (7-3).  The Cavaliers have won two of the last three meetings with the Spurs.  Cleveland has been struggling lately relying too heavily on Lebron James and Kyrie Irving to do all the playmaking.  When the Cavaliers share the ball, they are nearly unbeatable, but to rank 20^th in assists is bad for a team with championship aspirations.  Cleveland will have to force turnovers and get out in transition if they want to win because San Antionio has too much size on the interior.  This should be a close game as these teams are evenly matched in nearly every statistical category.  I think the Cavaliers will take advantage of playing in Cleveland where they own the NBA’s second best home record at (18-3).

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion with Sporttechie.com senior writer Mark Burns.

Note:

To be eligible to enter a Crowd’s Line contest you must be over 18 years of age, a resident of the United States/Canada, and submit your score prediction on our prediction tool (blog widget). The winner will be selected according to The Crowd’s Line scoring methodology.  If more than one entrant has the same winning score the winner will be selected by random drawing.  Only one prize will be awarded per contest and that winner will receive their prize in 5-7 business days.