The Cleveland Cavaliers are at Rocket Arena for the first night of a back-to-back, taking on the San Antonio Spurs! I'll be live updating this page throughout the night.

The Cavs will be missing Darius Garland (left great toe injury management), Jarrett Allen (right finger strain), Tyrese Proctor (personal), Larry Nance Jr. (right calf), Sam Merrill (right wrist sprain), and Max Strus. The Spurs are missing six players, too, including Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Luke Kornet.

STARTERS:

Spurs - Fox, Vassell, Champagnie, Barnes, Biyombo

Cavs - Mitchell, Tyson, Hunter, Tomlin, Mobley

FIRST QUARTER

Well, it's a strong start for Devin Vassell from the tip off. He's got seven points on two triples and had the opening oop to Bismack Biyombo. Cavs first bucket is an Evan Mobley backdown to a cutting Nae'Qwan Tomlin for a throw down. 

Two fouls on Tomlin four minutes into the game. There's been six whistles already, equally handed out. Dean Wade in for Qwan. Lonzo Ball in for Donovan Mitchell next.

Man, Dylan Harper is not a small guard.

Vassell's off to a terrific start and he's picking up Mitchell full-court. I haven't minded the Cavs' offensive process out of the gate. Lots of chances at the rim. Spurs up 18-14 about halfway through the first.

The ball has been slippery for Cleveland and it has five turnovers already. Jaylon Tyson just picked up his second foul at the 4:17 mark. Jeremy Sochan wants it more on the offensive glass early for San Antonio.

In come Craig Porter Jr. and Thomas Bryant now.

Cavs went to zone that last possession to try and wall off the paint, and it worked. They trail San Antonio 30-20. Communication on cuts/spots is a little off. Porter and Bryant helping reset things though.

Sochan's all over the place for second-chance opportunities in the opening frame. My goodness.

Even with lanes, Lonzo Ball will not drive it. That's a real detriment despite his ball-handling, passing ability and defensive prowess.

END 1Q: Spurs 35, Cavs 30

SAS: Vassell 13p, 1a, blk. Johnson 7p, 1r, blk. Sochan 6p, 3r.

CLE: Mitchell 9p, 1r, stl. Porter 5p, 1r. Mobley 4p, 2r. Tyson 4p, 1r, blk.

SECOND QUARTER

Luke Travers enters the game for the first time to start the quarter. He's alongside Porter, Mitchell, Tyson, and Mobley. Less than a minute, and the Cavs have a 36-35 lead after two Mobley jams.

Spurs take the lead right back in the next minute after a David Jones-Garcia triple (shout out to summer league!) and a corner trey from Lindy Waters. Mitchell and Kenny Atkinson can't believe Don didn't get a reach in call on that last drive.

Mobley's back leaning into his strengths again.

Atkinson just got a technical at the 7:57 mark. He's been in the zebras' ears this whole half.

Luke Travers with a beautiful wrap dribble goes left to right to get past Dylan Harper for the scoop finish. I've got to say, I didn't know that was in the cards!

Kelly Olynyk is still beloved in his second home of Cleveland, Ohio.

Pull-up threes at the 22-second mark at the shot clock should be off limits for the Cavs unless their name is Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland.

Cleveland has to get De'Andre Hunter comfortable. He doesn't have a plan right now; just getting shots up to get shots up at this point. He also just picked up his third foul. He also just did not get back in transition after a made basket.

Vassell and Fox are doing the brunt of the damage. It doesn't feel like the Cavs are playing sloppy, either. But those nine offensive boards have cost them 18 points from San Antonio. Sochan's been a machine.

HALF: Spurs 72, Cavs 64

SAS: Vassell 25p, 3r, 2a, blk. Fox 15p, 4r, 4a. Johnson 9p, 3r, blk. Sochan 8p, 4r, 1a.

CLE: Mobley 13p, 4r, 2blk, 1a. Mitchell 15p, 4a. Porter 8p, 2r, 2stl. Tyson 8p, 4r.

THIRD QUARTER

Cavs open with Wade instead of Tomlin to start the half.

Concerted effort to get Hunter involved out of the locker room. Two plays getting him running off screens and getting to his spots. Cleveland takes a 75-74 lead after Tyson point-blanker from Mobley.

Just a putrid foul from Hunter trying to over-contest a Fox mid-ranger that was covered pretty well already. That was number four. Porter checks in.

I like this Porter-Mitchell-Tyson-Wade-Mobley group.

Tyson makes a stank face after Cleveland's second sick move of the evening. He got to the rack by going behind the back, too! 

Tyson's got 11 of his 19 points in the first 6:18 of the frame, and he's 9 of 10 from the field overall. This dude.

Porter-Tyson-Wade may be the trio of the night. Each is playing a part. Cavs are up 92-81 with 5:42 left in the third quarter.

San Antonio has yet to record a rebound eight minutes into the period. Cleveland has 12. Wine and gold are 15 of 17 from the field. That shows you what made shots can do...

Mitchell up on his feet clapping as JT continues to attack and play phenomenal basketball.

Jones-Garcia's going to get a Flagrant 1 on that last foul on Dean Wade. He got him over the head/neck area and swiped down going for a hard foul.

Ball drove to the bucket and finished a lay-in. Did not think that'd happen after the first half.

END 3Q: Cavs 108, Spurs 91

SAS: Vassell 27p, 3r, 2a, blk. Fox 22p, 6a, 4r, stl. Johnson 12p, 4r, blk, stl. Sochan 10p, 4r, 1a, stl.

CLE: Tyson 24p, 4r, 2blk, 1a. Mitchell 21p, 5a, 2stl, 1r. Mobley 13p, 7r, 5a, 2blk. Wade 12p, 7r, 4a. Porter 11p, 4r, 2stl, 1a.

FOURTH QUARTER

Here's where the Cavs need to hold the fort down. Spurs making a run with Fox and Vassell out there, as well as Sochan.

Wade with a sweet swing over to Tomlin for his first three of the game. Qwan's got 13 points and has been cutting all night. Dean's had the selfless passes going nicely. Cavs up 117-102 with 8:11 left.

See, this is a really good second half from Zo. Active hands, anticipating opponents' decisions before they happen, moving the basketball. No forcing it tonight.

Good timeout from Atkinson as Harrison Barnes gets a quick throwdown from Harper pretty easily. Cavs up 119-107 with 5:34 remaining in regulation. Can they close?

Cleveland has stopped Harper in his tracks so many times tonight. Tough night for him, but give the rookie credit because he's taken care of the ball and found his teammates well. 

Cavs will win their first game at Rocket Arena since they beat the LA Clippers on Nov. 23.

FINAL: Cavs 130, Spurs 117.