Cavs beat Spurs in San Antonio for the first time since 1988

Nov 4, 2006, 4:10 GMT

San Antonio, TX - LeBron James scored 35 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, as Cleveland won in San Antonio for the first time since 1988 with an 88-81 victory in the Spurs' home opener.

Larry Hughes tallied 18 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 10 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out for the Cavaliers, who snapped a 16-game skid at San Antonio, beating the Spurs on the road for the first time since December 8, 1988.

Cleveland, which edged Washington on Wednesday, is 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 2000-01, when the Cavs won their first four games.

'We've been preaching for a while now that we need to be a tough road team,' James said. 'A win in San Antonio helps our case.'

Tim Duncan had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs, who won at Dallas Thursday night. Tony Parker ended with 21 points and Manu Ginobili scored 14 in a losing cause.

However, the night belonged to James, who shot 14-of-26 from the field.

'He was fantastic. He's a physical specimen and that's the least of his attributes,' Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said of James. 'He's blessed with great size, speed and quickness. He's special.'

A Hughes jumper increased Cleveland's lead to 69-56 with 10:50 remaining, but the Spurs methodically cut into their deficit and got within four.

One free throw by Parker made it 83-79 with 1:58 left, but James countered with a layup and then hit one free throw with 42 seconds remaining.

Parker's bucket cut San Antonio's deficit to 86-81 with 38.6 seconds left, but Ginobili missed a shot and Hughes jammed with 24 seconds left for the final margin.

Cleveland led 23-18 after one quarter and increased the margin to 43-36 at halftime.

The Cavs established a double-digit lead early in the third and held a 62-56 edge going into the fourth.

Game Notes

The Cavs shot 44.6 percent from the field, while San Antonio ended at 42 percent.

The Spurs went 18-of-34 at the foul line.

© 2006 The Sports Network