Photo: Scott Shaw/The Plain Dealer

The odds looked long with Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James out from the start and Antawn Jamison leaving after the third quarter due to injury, but the Cavalier backcourt of Delonte West and Mo Williams willed the team to its gutsiest victory of the season over the Tony Parker-less Spurs. It was a team effort led by timely fourth quarter defense and balanced scoring, and they needed every ounce of it to survive Manu Ginobili's 38 point effort. The Cavaliers with the win have now won at least 50 games in four of their last five seasons, and the win keeps them three games ahead of the Lakers for the best record in the NBA.

Lack of star power: This one was far from your classic Cavs-Spurs matchup. Besides LeBron James and Shaq being out of commission for the wine and gold, the Spurs are just beginning life without Tony Parker for about six weeks, after Parker broke a bone in his right hand. As a result, Manu Ginobili was in the starting lineup for just the second time this season. Also, for the Cavs, Daniel Gibson returned after missing a week with the birth of his first child.

Man oh Man(u)!: Some people have questioned whether Manu Ginobili is on the downslope of his career. If one game can reject a feeling, this one certainly qualifies. Ginobili stepped up in a big way and almost single-handedly carried his team to victory. In the first half, Ginobili got ridiculously open looks as the Cavaliers chose to go with a strategy of doubling Tim Duncan in the post. It was so poorly executed on one instance that Jawad Williams came down to double Timmy on the right block and TD kicked it out to a wide-open Ginobili on the right wing for the three. The Cavs tried Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Delonte West, and Jawad Williams all on Ginobili in the first half, and none of them seemed up to the task. Manu got so many open looks, starting off 4 of his first 5 shots in the first for 14 points, and he had 23 points at the break.

A different Mo: One thing you can never accuse the Cavaliers' All-Star point from is running from accountability. After Saturday night's atrocious performance in Milwaukee, Mo didn't try to mix words about his play. To his credit, throughout his Cavalier career, Mo has been resilient. He has come out of every single slump he's been in, and he's even done it mid-game at times by hitting a clutch bucket after chipping paint off the iron throughout. Tonight, Williams had a quick start, piling up drives to the basket, rebounds, and assist. In fact, Mo looked like a triple-double candidate early on. His defense on George Hill was... timid, but Mo's offense was a difference-maker in this game. Mo had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in the first half, finishing with 17, 8, and 8 respectively. Despite the criticism that Mo has been taking, I'm not ready to give up on him, and neither are the Cavaliers.

Injuries galore: This was a heart-wrenching game with all of the injuries that were popping up for the Cavs with LeBron and Shaq already sitting. Anthony Parker dislocated a finger, but it was not broken, and he did return, although he sat for a long stretch in the first half. Mo Williams's left ring finger continues to bother him, and he had it grabbed near the end of the game with the Spurs trying to foul him. Mo also seemed to grimace in regards to his shoulder once or twice, which certainly is not 100 percent yet. Finally, and most seriously, Antawn Jamison left the game in the third quarter after he was limping on the floor when his knee tightened up on him. An MRI revealed that there is no significant damage, and he hopes to play Friday. Mike Brown, being the optimistic guy he is, may sit him in that game despite Jamison's desire to play. This just felt like one of those games you wanted to get over before something really bad occurred.

Not Parker, but just as potent: I haven't seen George Hill play an incredible amount, but he certainly looked like an up-and-comer against the Cavalier, I mean Mo Williams, defense tonight. Hill sliced and diced in similar fashion to Tony Parker in 38 minutes for 23 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. Hill also hit two clutch corner threes for San Antonio that helped San Antonio hold on for as long as they did. Hill had only 3 fourth quarter points as the Cavalier defense really amped it up.

Someone steps up: With Jamison departing, the Cavaliers really needed someone to help in the scoring department. Late in the third quarter, that someone turned out to be LeBron's replacement, Jawad Williams. After playing a quiet game in Milwaukee and first half tonight in which I openly tweeted "Is Jawad Williams out there or are we playing with four guys?", Jawad answered the bell. The other Williams had eight straight points in the late third as the Cavs closed the gap to 1 multiple times. Jawad finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds in 34 minutes.

Doing the dirty work: Delonte West led the gritty, gutsy, defensive-minded Cavaliers to the win. His clutch shot-making and shot-creating, improved defense on Manu Ginobili, and timely hustle plays made all the difference. When Delonte is playing like this, he is going to command starter minutes and crunch times ones as well. These are glimpses of the 2009 Delonte West that made the Cavaliers so formidable. I'm not saying Delonte has to be in the starting lineup, but I would like to continue seeing more of him and less of Parker in the final minutes. My theory on Delonte is that he plays best when things are going bad. See the ECF last year against Orlando for who got those game balls (at least a couple from the losses came from Delonte) for evidence. The real thing I think we have to worry about is if things are going well for the team, will Delonte be there to help make good things great? Delonte finished with 16 points, 4 boards, 5 dimes, and 3 steals in 33 minutes. His key play? Stepping in front of a pass to the corner intended for Manu Ginobili in the final minute for a shot that may have given them the lead.

Photo finish: In an eerie coincidence to the Lakers-Magic game the other night, Manu Ginobili did his best Kobe impression, pulling up needing a three and putting a foot on the line while he shot it. Ginobili had a three reversed to an obvious two, and the Spurs had taken an emotional hit trailing by one instead of being tied up with 14.2 seconds left. The Cavaliers, a team that struggles at the foul line, then got four free throw makes from Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao to seal the deal. Manu Ginobili's desperation heave as time expired counted even though he took about seven steps heading up the court without dribbling. What was interesting about the Cavaliers' lineup in the final minutes was their full complement of wing defenders: Delonte West, Jawad Williams, Anthony Parker, and Jamario Moon accompanied the best post defender, Varejao. That's a pretty solid defensive lineup, although I think most would rather have LBJ in there, including yours truly.

Roger, Roger! One Spur who was a ghost of his former self tonight was regular sharpshooter Roger Mason. Mason, who hit four game winners for San Antonio last season and averaged 12 points per game on 42% shooting from three point range, was 1-for-10 from the field, including 0-for-8 from behind the arc. Mason is struggling this season, averaging just 7 points and shooting 35% from behind the three point line. The former automatic man had a shot at a game-tying bucket after a great post setup from Manu, but Jamario Moon flew at him and luckily did not get called for a foul. Another Spur struggling is Richard Jefferson, who has yet to find his rhythm in the Spur system. Jefferson had just 3 points in 28 minutes. The Spurs to me look like a team with a decent amount of talent, but they are on the downslope with Parker ailing, Duncan aging, and Ginobili standing alone right now.

One last thumbs-up: J.J. Hickson did an all-around solid job on Tim Duncan tonight. Mr. Fundamental had just 13 points and 5 boards on 6-of-13 shooting, and after having lots of help with doubles early, the team switched to doubling Manu with J.J. holding his own. If J.J. can continue the type of D he had against Lopez and Duncan, not Bogut, the Cavaliers will have an easier transition into the playoffs without Shaq.

goes to: Delonte West and Mo Williams. The Cavaliers' old starting backcourt came up big in this key game. They combined for 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists, and they were the two clutch offensive performers in the stretch run.

Team Grade: B+

Without three of their top four scorers, the Cavaliers found a way offensively and excelled defensively, giving up just 19 points in the fourth and curtailing Ginobili's scoring. The Cavs shot 47%, held the Spurs to 41%, and had just 12 turnovers. But, they got outrebounded 44-42 and allowed Manu to blast them with 38 points. The Spurs are no slouch, however, and even at home, this was anything but easy.

The Cavs enjoy three days off before taking on the 76ers in Philadelphia on Friday night. Then, they hope to get both LeBron James and Antawn Jamison back in action.

All for one. One for all.

Kirk

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