Split Seekers

I’m here at the AT&T Center – (still trying to get used to saying that) – and waiting for tip-off in Game 2.

The Cavaliers were loose and limber on Saturday before practice and after checking out the locker room, seem pretty confident for the second of two in Texas. San Antonio might be the eighth-largest city in the States, but it’s hard to go anywhere without bumping into one of the Cavaliers family every time I leave the hotel – whether it’s Anderson eating dinner or Boobie shopping at Dillard’s.

I think the squad feels like San Antonio did what it was supposed to do in Game 1 – (big games from Duncan and Parker; solid contribution off the bench for Ginobili) – and the Cavaliers actually had a chance to win it in the final minutes despite playing a pretty poor overall game. Cleveland’s goal was to keep the Spurs within striking distance, though, and an 18-point fourth quarter lead doesn’t qualify.

Larry Hughes – who besides LeBron – had the two best games against the Spurs during the regular season, is suddenly a marked man by the media because of a nondescript performance in Game 1. Of course, with the pundits collapsing on a single series, Hughes has been put on the defensive – especially with Daniel Gibson’s meteoric rise.

“Well, if we win, I don't think (the criticism) would be said,” asserted Hughes. “It doesn't affect me either way. I understand the situation. If it's better for us to have somebody else in the lineup that guarantees us a win, then I'm all for it. But if not, then I definitely want to get my shot and help the team the best way I can.”

It’s impossible to ignore Gibson’s emergence, but Coach Brown is smart enough to know how to make subtle changes without rocking the entire boat.

“Daniel especially is in a nice rhythm coming off the bench, so we don't want to try to mess with that right now,” said Brown. “But I understand Larry's injury, so does he, and it's something that we'll just continue to monitor.”

You won’t see a lineup change, but it’s a safe bet that you’ll see a different mindset from the existing lineup. Look for LeBron and his mates to try to attack the Spurs interior more in Game 2. Tim Duncan had five swats in Game 1 and the Cavaliers were kicking themselves for not attacking his body more.

“Well, you definitely look at it and see how you can attack it a little bit better,” said James. “I've definitely faced double‑teams and triple‑teams throughout this postseason, so I have to do a better job of trying to attack the double‑team early and see if I can swing it to the other side to a teammate that can make a play.

“We got into too many late shot clocks in Game 1, which is not good for us,” LeBron continued. “We don't work well when we get into the shot clock down to three and two on the clock, and it makes us make bad plays. We just have to do a better job of trying to attack the double‑team and being a little bit more aggressive getting to the lane.”

LeBron was frustrated by Detroit in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, but he managed to figure them out – at times, with a vengeance – in the second half of the series.

So, looking forward to Game 2 – and you can see how this works out after Sunday night’s matchup is said and done – here are three concerns for the Cavaliers.

Will they be able to slow down Parker?

Hughes’ injury isn’t the only reason Tony Parker had a field day against the Cavaliers in Game 1. But he was a little too quick for Hughes and a little too crafty for Gibson. Look for the Cavaliers to make him work harder on the defensive end and maybe even mix in a little Eric Snow to work on him physically.

Snow can’t match Parker’s speed, but he’ll make him feel every minute the Canton Bulldog is on the floor.

Can LeBron figure out the Spurs’ defense the way he figured out the Pistons?

LeBron talked a lot during the Detroit series about attacking early and not allowing the D to set up. With San Antonio blitzing him with a big off the pick and roll, James has to do exactly that. When he waits for the Spurs to set up, they get him – to use a football analogy – moving east and west and not north and south.

He’ll need to change his mindset and find a way to get to the bucket in Game 2.

If LeBron is able to drive and kick, which player – besides Gibson – is going to step up and make some shots?

Boobie was 7-for-9 in limited minutes in Game 1. Everyone waiting for the rookie to come back down to earth is going to have to keep waiting.

But LeBron will need someone else to hit a shot. Zydrunas Ilgauskas was 1-for-8 and will need to turn it around. Donyell Marshall can stretch the defense if he gets it going. And of course, Anderson Varejao is one of LeBron’s favorites coming off the pick-and-roll.

If James can find his rhythm and get his teammates involved, the Cavaliers have a chance of stealing one in San Antonio. If he can’t, the Wine and Gold could come home in a hole.