Warriors Show Versatility, Beat Cavaliers at Their Own Game
The Warriors played the Cavaliers’ pace and still won on Christmas day.
In last year’s NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers by playing “small ball” and dominating in transition.
In the games where the Cavaliers won, they slowed it down, relying on isolation plays and half-court basketball. On Christmas day, the Warriors and Cavaliers met again in the most anticipated matchup of the NBA season. Both teams had something to prove and the game did not disappoint.
The Cavaliers were finally healthy with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love back in the starting lineup. There have been many pundits that have declared the Cavaliers would have won the championship if both were healthy. On the other side, the Warriors were off to the best start in NBA history, demolishing their opponents to the tune of a 27-1 record, showing everyone last year was no fluke and shutting up l-l the naysayers.
The Christmas matchup was a grit and grind battle between the two heavyweights, which is exactly what the Cavaliers wanted, but the end result was a 89-83 win for the Warriors, showing their versatility, in a defensive struggle. Irving and Love were non-factors, shooting a combined 9-of-31 from the field and 0-of-11 from three-point range. The Cavaliers shot a season-low 32 percent due to the stifling Warriors defense.
The Warriors are known for their high-powered offense, led by the reigning MVP, Stephen Curry and fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson. The Warriors move the ball better than anyone, leading to uncontested three-pointers and layups but the reason the Warriors won the championship last season was their defensive prowess and that came to the forefront Christmas day.
The Warriors were able to contest practically every Cavaliers’ shot and with isolation-dominated offense, led by LeBron James, the Cavaliers became very easy to defend. The Warriors relied more on their big men, a stark change from the NBA Finals when they won with “small ball.” Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli were able to control the paint, combining for six blocks, forcing the Cavaliers to shoot more perimeter jumpers. The Warriors dared the Cavaliers to beat them with Irving, Love and Matthew Dellavedova from the perimeter but the Cavaliers were only able to hit 5-of-30 from three-point range with only James and J.R. Smith hitting from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers outrebounded, took more shots, and committed less turnovers than the Warriors but still lost. They played their style of play and still lost. The Warriors were without starting small forward Harrison Barnes, head coach Steve Kerr and had to deal with a calf injury to Curry and still were able to beat the Cavaliers. The Warriors won because of their depth, not having to rely on superstar efforts from Curry and Thompson where the Cavaliers needed it. Their best players yesterday were not Curry and Thompson but Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston.
December 25, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard
Shaun Livingston(34) shoots the basketball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward
LeBron James(23) in the third quarter of a NBA basketball game on Christmas at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Green is the heart and soul and the emotional leader of this team. His energy fuels this team and yesterday, he was the best player on the floor. Green scored 22 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, dealt out 7 assists and blocked two shots, dominating his matchup against the former All-Star Love. Green is quickly becoming one of the most versatile players in this league and destined to be an All-Star, living up to his new contract.
More from Warriors News
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
- The Dream starting 5 for the Warriors 5 years from now
Livingston had his best game of the season, hitting 8-of-9 from the field, scoring 16 points. Usually a distributor, Livingston took advantage of the Cavaliers small backcourt, posting up and hitting fadeaway jumpers. Livingston had to increase his scoring with Andre Iguodala and Marreese Speights struggling from the field and Leandro Barbosa spraining his shoulder. The Cavaliers never had an answer for him.
The Warriors clearly have the Cavaliers number and the Cavaliers know it. If the Cavaliers want to beat the Warriors, they need their big three to all contribute, not just James. The Warriors did not play their best game and they beat the best team in the Eastern Conference. Soon, the Warriors will add Barnes and Kerr back into the fold, which will make them even better and will allow them to play their devastating “small lineup” that never loses. The 28-1 Warriors can beat you playing any style and will only get better, which is scary for the rest of the league.