Cavs get their first taste of the defending champion Spurs

LeBron James (left) and Tim Duncan (right) will face of for the 33rd time (including playoffs) in their careers

After losing a very winnable game against the Denver Nuggets at home, the Cleveland Cavaliers welcome in the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs into town for their first match-up of the season. Some expect this to be the Finals match-up for this year, and could be the first of many more games these two play this season.

San Antonio Spurs

Record: 6-4, seventh in the Western Conference

Offense: 98.2 (24th)

Defense: 96.0 (4th)

The Good

- Don't let the record fool you; this is one of the best teams in the league. From top to bottom, the Spurs possess one of the best rosters in basketball. Hell, they won the NBA championship last year and didn't lose a single player from last year's roster. Many consider their coach to not only the best in the league, but one of the best all-time. They are the model NBA franchise, and are team that the Cavs are trying to replicate.

- As for their play on the court, they are an extremely good defensive team. As you can see above, their defensive rating ranks fourth in the NBA, and are they are there because they limit second chance opportunities. The Spurs rank first in both defensive rebounding percentage and opponent offensive rebounds per game. Most of their rebounds come off of opponent's 3-pointers, where they rank first in defensive 3-point shooting percentage.

- Offensively, the Spurs aren't near the top overall (they rank 24th in offensive efficiency), but if there is one thing they do well, it's spreading their scoring out. Eight guys average at least 8.0 points per game, and rank third as a team in percentage of field goals assisted on, coming in at 65.0 percent. As we've seen over the course of the year, the Cavs have struggled at limiting open shots, and if the Cavs can't improve their defensive effort, the Spurs will have a field day in Cleveland.

The Bad

- There really isn't much the Spurs do bad, but there are a few things they do that are average. First, they struggle at shooting the ball on offense, ranking 20th in the NBA with a 47.9 percent effective shooting percentage. This is uncharacteristic of the Spurs, for they have ranked in the top two in effective field goal percentage over the last four years. The staple of their offense has been ball movement and taking smart and effective shots (similar to what David Blatt wants). So far, they only do one of those things right.

- The Spurs are not a team that wreaks havoc on opponents, only forcing opponents to have a 13.1 turnover percentage, which ranks 19th in the league. For a Cavs team that is fourth in offensive turnover percentage, this match-up will look to favor Cleveland. If the Cavs can limit their turnovers (they average four less per game in wins compared to losses), then the Spurs will have to rely on forcing Cleveland into shooting a low percentage from the field, which is a hard task in itself.

- For as old as people say the Spurs are (they have the second oldest team in the league), nobody can blame Popovivch for wanting to rest his players. For them, this necessarily isn't a bad thing, but for those who pay money to watch one of the best teams in basketball, it's unfair to them. If Pop decides to rest guys like Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobili, then the Cavs should want to destroy them for trying to win without their best players.

The Matchup to Watch

LeBron James vs. Kawhi Leonard

A battle of the last two Finals MVP's, these two are very contrast in style. James is dominate offensive force who lets people know that he's the best player in the league, while Leonard has been seen as one of the best defensive stoppers in basketball, yet is as quiet as a mouse. This is no knock against either of them, but both of them are two of the better small forwards in the league, each doing it in different ways. Expect these two to go at it on multiple possessions.

The Playlist

Just like Denver, there really aren't too many well-known artists from San Antonio. But, like Denver, they are known for one thing: The Alamo. If you don't know The Alamo, well, shame on you. Anyways, who better to sing a song about it than the legendary Johnny Cash:

Why the Cavs will win

This starts and ends with the defense. If they can get enough stops on that side of the ball, their offense is good enough to overcome a top ranked defense. Also, if they are able to force turnovers and get out in transition, where the Cavs excel, it will be tough for the Spurs to stop them.

Why the Spurs will win

Although they rank in the bottom half in the league in offensive rating, they can still score on you if you don't play any defensive. Ty Lawson was able to destroyed Kyrie Irving and the rest of the Cavs, forcing LeBron to have to guard the speedy point guard. If LeBron is forced to switch to Tony Parker tonight, leaving mismatches for Ginobili and Leonard, the Spurs will look like the offensive juggernaut we are accustomed too.

The Prediction

Spurs 107, Cavs 100

Facing a team who has chemistry unlike any other, expect the Spurs to come in with a chip on their shoulder. Expect Parker and Duncan to have big nights, but the big difference in the game will be Danny Green. Cavs tend to have trouble communicating on the defensive end, leading to wide open shooters for their opponents. It won't be fixed overnight, and I feel that Green will be the guy they continue to leave open, hitting multiple 3-pointers down the stretch.