Warriors vs. Cavaliers: Bigger Game For Which Team?

In a rematch of the NBA Finals, who needs a win more on Christmas Day: the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Golden State Warriors?

NBA fans will be getting a Christmas gift as the Golden State Warriors take on the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow.

It’s a rematch of the 2015 NBA Finals and just might be the most exciting matchup of this year’s five Christmas Day games. Make no mistake: this game carries a lot of importance despite what the players might say.

The question remains: Is a win more important for the Warriors or the Cavs?

Golden State heads into the game at 27-1 and Cleveland currently stands at 19-7, with both teams currently first in their respective conferences. For the Cavs, this is an opportunity to make a statement and get revenge against the NBA champs. For the Warriors, coming away with a win adds to their ongoing résumé of proving doubters wrong.

To answer our question, let’s take a deeper look at what each team could stand to gain.

For the Cavs: Retribution

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward

LeBron James

(23) walks off the court after losing to the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The last time the Cavaliers visited Oracle Arena, they lost Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Up 2-1 in the series, they suffered three straight losses and witnessed Stephen Curry and the Warriors raise the Larry O’Brien trophy. This is the first rematch since their bitter defeat. Add to the fact that it’ll be Christmas Day on national television and the Cavaliers know this is more than your average game, despite what they might say.

LeBron James and Iman Shumpert both commented on their Finals rematch with the Warriors, conveying mixed thoughts in their responses. James was a bit more reserved, saying, “The memories will come back as soon as we walk into the building…But also understand that it’s one of 82, and I’m not going to put everything into this game.” Shumpert was a bit more upfront, noting, “I can’t speak for everybody else. It plays a part…But we’re going to come out and approach the game like we approach all games. But I’m salty. I am.”

James, Shumpert, and presumably the entire Cavaliers team know they need to come away with a win on Christmas day. With Kyrie Irving back in the lineup, and their team finally at full health, will they prove they can knock off the champs like we’ve heard them relentlessly claim since their defeat in June?

For the Warriors: Routine

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors center

Festus Ezeli

(31) celebrates with guard

Stephen Curry

(30) during the third quarter of game six of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

After winning the championship last season, along with the ensuing celebrations has come the infinite amount of skepticism for the Warriors. With the Cavaliers losing Kyrie Irving in Game 1 and playing without Kevin Love, some believe that had the Cavaliers been fully healthy they would have been crowned champions instead of the Warriors.

Of course this is false: Golden State had been the superior team all of last season and had the record and stats to prove it. Nonetheless, defeating the Cavaliers again on Christmas Day will only be the usual for Golden State.

Going into the game, Draymond Green reiterated what many players have been saying about the upcoming matchup, “We’ll either finish that game 28-1 or 27-2. That’s about it…Just another game.”

Does Golden State realize that this isn’t just another game? Sure they do. But they understand that a win or loss won’t cement their status as a team.