Durant had a huge game for the Warriors, scoring 36 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. Golden State warmed up for its Christmas Day clash with the Cavaliers by pulling out a 119-113 win at Detroit.
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Even though Christmas is usually a time for celebrating with family and spreading good cheer, there is no love between the good people of Cleveland and Draymond Green. The Cavalier “Big Three” trio of Lebron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are there as well, and their bench has been contributing as well.
For all the reasons people anticipated and likely paid attention to the Golden State-Cleveland game Sunday afternoon at Quicken Loans Arena, one did not register for Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Cleveland largely kept its championship team intact and is enjoying a four-game winning streak while leading the Eastern Conference despite losing shooting guard J.R. Smith to a fractured right thumb.
In this simulation, the Warriors were led by the offseason addition of Kevin Durant.
This was the game of the year, and let’s hope we’ll get seven more of these come June. Golden State is ranked second in the National Basketball Association in defensive rating, with Durant leading the team in blocked shots and combining with Draymond Green to make up a front court tandem that leads the Warriors in a total of five statistical categories. LeBron James led the team with 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals, while Tristan Thompson recorded a double-double of 16 points and 11 boards.
The first half was intense enough to remind you of a Game 1-like atmosphere in the Finals. The Cavs followed with 12 of the next 13 points.
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Just incredible play at both ends. When LeBron James fell down on a layup attempt, the Warriors were off to the races to try and score back.
