We seem to have to always be out there at the top of our games.
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“We’re in a better space than we were on Christmas Day”, Irving told reporters. Should we see an identical Finals matchup to past year, that edge should not be underestimated.
A number of teams are lining up, trying to knock Golden State from that perch. Ever since the introduction of the three-point shot to the National Basketball Association in the early 1980s, teams have continually tinkered their line-ups to add an edge to their offensive arsenal. There ball movement is not at the level as the two teams ahead of them. Russell Westbrook had to step and he did, but in the strong western conference, just having one all-star isn’t enough.
The Warriors took the 6-foot-7 forward in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft with the 35th pick overall. For tonights game, the Nuggets won’t matter, the other 3 losses on the season won’t matter, rather the Warriors will be focusing all of their attention on this game.
Stephen Curry Above the Break Three Update: Stephen Curry has made 158 above the break three pointers this year, more than three teams (back above Miami and Memphis).
Irving is averaging 17.0 points on 42 percent from the field, including 26 percent from three-point range. If Curry gets fouled hard, expect the refs to protect him, much like the National Football League does with QBs.
The Warriors also beat Cleveland on Christmas Day at Oracle Arena, giving the wine and gold plenty of motivation for revenge. The major focus for tonight however, is on Draymond Green.
As Blatt noted, “We don’t have many run-of-the-mill games in Cleveland”. While no one doubts that the Warriors can and will get back to their highest standard of play, it would behoove them to do so sooner rather than later, as time – and games – are of the essence. With the former finally starting to round into form after a long injury hiatus, today’s game will go a long way in determining whether or not he can overcome the challenge of taking on one of the NBA’s best players. To that, Curry might respond to them the same way he responded to everyone else on Twitter.
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The Cavs led that series 2-1, but the Warriors then shifted into overdrive, winning three in a row to close out the series, outscoring the Cavs by 42 points in the three games (312-270). Losers of two of their last three games, the Warriors are still feeling the sting of Saturday’s lopsided loss against the Detroit Pistons that called for some stern words from Golden State’s leaders.
