CLEVELAND _ In a season of turmoil, it's hard to say whether Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue would find it comforting to have old problems resurface.
But that was the case Sunday in a 110-94 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavs starters struggled, while the second unit performed better when paired with LeBron James.
A Cleveland team that seeks to play with pace and shoot 3s struggled from beyond the arc for the second consecutive home game. After going 8-for-35 from deep at the Q on Thursday in a loss to Washington, the Cavs connected on 8-of-34.
That's a combined 16-of-69 (.232). In their last three games, they have hit 27-of-98 (.276).
The woes of their starting backcourt epitomized the issue against the Spurs. J.R. Smith and George Hill combined to shoot 2-for-15 from the field, 0-for-8 from deep, and totaled just one assist.
Also struggling for the Cavs was rookie forward Cedi Osman, who had wide-open looks virtually on every shot and made just 1-for-6, including 0-for-2 from long range.
Providing the punch from outside was guard Jordan Clarkson, playing with eight or nine stitches under his right eye after being elbowed Friday at Memphis. Clarkson pitched in 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 3-for-7 from deep.
The Cavs (35-24) fell to 4-2 since the Feb. 8 trade deadline and 3-2 with their four new players acquired on the court. They opened the longest homestand of the season with five games in nine days.
James led the Cavs with 33 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in 40 minutes.
Playing the final game of a six-game road trip, the Spurs (36-25) had lost four in a row and seven of their last nine. They were without Manu Ginobli (bruised sternum) and two-time league defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps).
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 27 points and six rebounds, while ex-Cav Danny Green contributed 22. The Spurs connected on 25-of-32 from the free-throw line, as compared to the Cavs' 10-of-14.
Among those in the crowd were two Ohio State products, injured Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, who received a big ovation when recognized, and Saints receiver Ted Ginn Jr. Also seated courtside was PGA Tour professional Jason Day.
The Cavs' Larry Nance Jr., wearing his father's No. 22 for the first time, recorded four assists in the second quarter and finished with four points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 15 minutes.
Tristan Thompson pulled down nine rebounds in the first nine minutes and finished with a season-high 13, along with six points. But the Cavs went small down the stretch, with neither Thompson or Nance on the court.
The Spurs blew the game open with a 16-0 run that began with five minutes left in the third quarter. Kyle Korver ended the drought with a 3 with 9:07 to go in the fourth. It was his first made shot in four attempts.
The Cavs went on an 11-2 second quarter run to break a tie at 37 and take a 48-39 lead. But Green pumped in 10 points in the period, all in the final 2:40 to ignite the Spurs as the Cavs led 53-50 at the half.
