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Sports

Spurs continue push for top spot in West, entertain Cavs

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

San Antonio resumes its chase for the top spot in the Western Conference on Sunday when they welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Alamo City.

The Spurs are one-half game ahead of Oklahoma City for the West's best record and owns the tiebreaker over the Thunder with four games to play.

San Antonio has been rolling recently, winning six straight by an average of 19.1 points per game. The latest Spurs rout came on Friday when Tim Duncan scored 21 points as San Antonio spoiled Kobe Bryant's return with a 121-97 blowout of the Lakers.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both added 20 points for the Spurs.

"We played pretty good defense in the second half, especially the third quarter. That fueled the pace and we kept the pace pretty good," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, snapped a three-game skid on Friday when Kyrie Irving scored 21 points as Cleveland downed the Knicks, 98-90.

Manny Harris added 19 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for Cleveland, which halted a three-game losing streak. Samardo Samuels chipped in 15 points.

"We really looked like a solid team out there," said Irving. "I wish we would've been consistent throughout the season."

Earlier Friday, the Cavaliers officially shut down big man Anderson Varejao for the remainder of the season due to his fractured right wrist. The team announced that Varejao's healing has progressed well, but his full recovery isn't complete and he's experiencing soreness in the wrist. He was originally injured in a Feb. 10 game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Irving may also rest tonight. The presumptive Rookie of the Year has played twice since returning from a nine-game absence with a shoulder injury and coach Byron Scott wants to be protective of his cornerstone.

San Antonio has won four straight over the Cavs, including a 125-90 romp back on April 3, the Spurs' biggest win since a 123-98 triumph over Golden State back on Dec. 6, 2008.