clarinews@clarinet.com (01/16/90)
RICHFIELD, Ohio (UPI) -- It's getting to sound like a broken record, and it's a record that keeps getting broken. For the third time this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers set a team record for 3-point field goals, making 10 in a 92-89 win over the San Antonio Spurs Monday at the Richfield Coliseum. ``It's not a surprise,'' Cleveland guard Steve Kerr said. ``When we first broke the record, I remember thinking, `That won't last long.''' ``I think it's just a matter of them being out there when they get the ball,'' Cleveland coach Lenny Wilkens said. ``If a team collapses, we've got three guys who will shoot from that spot just like it was a 15-footer.'' Mark Price is foremost among the three. The 6-foot-1 point guard tied a team record with six 3-pointers in finishing with a team-high 25 points. Price also had 12 assists and a career-high 11 rebounds as he notched the first triple-double of his career. It was Cleveland's first triple-double of the season and only the seventh in franchise history. ``You see other people get them, but I thought I never would,'' Price said. ``I'm going to keep this stat sheet, because I might not ever get another one.'' Price, who had seven rebounds in the first half, was at a loss to explain his sudden prowess on the boards. ``I just hang out around the free throw line,'' he said. ``The ball might bounce off a big guy and I'll get it. I'm not going to take many off the glass, that's for sure.'' In addition to Price, Craig Ehlo and Kerr each made a pair of threes as the Cavaliers made 10 of 22 as a team. The 22 attempts were also a team record. Price finished six of nine from long range, Kerr was two for five and Ehlo two for eight. That helped the Cavaliers, 16-18, to their third straight victory, despite an otherwise bad day from the field. Subtracting 3-pointers, the Cavaliers were 25 of 67 from the field for 37 percent. ``The guys are starting to get a feel for each other,'' Wilkens said. ``We're getting more people involved. You can see that. ``Our confidence level is building. The team effort has been there every game. Like Larry Nance. He didn't shoot well, but he came up with the big rebounds,'' Wilkens said. ``I'm pleased with the way we're going.'' The Spurs, 23-10, leaders of the Midwest Division, got 28 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks from 7-1 center David Robinson and 17 points from forward Willie Anderson, but no one else scored more than 11. Minus Robinson, who was 11 of 17, and Anderson, who was 7 of 15, the Spurs shot 35 percent. ``We had a real bad shooting night, but they (the Cavs) made a lot of 3-pointers and they were tremendous on the offensive boards,'' San Antonio coach Larry Brown said. ``They came up with every loose ball and every long rebound.'' The Cavaliers held a 56-45 edge ini rebounding. Cleveland held a 5-point lead with 14 seconds to play, but Vernon Maxwell hit a 3-pointer to pull San Antonio within 2. Price made one of two free throws with 10.2 seconds remaining, leaving the Cavaliers up by 3 points. Cleveland secured the victory when Cummings' 3-point attempt from the corner bounced off the rim. Tree Rollins started at center for the Cavaliers for the first time since Nov. 24. Rollins reinjured his left knee in the first half Monday, but returned to start the second half.