At 5 p.m., the 26-1 (as of December 21) defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors – led by reigning M.V.P. Stephen Curry – will host the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James in a rematch of the most-watched NBA Finals in ABC history. Their lone loss was to Milwaukee, without Harrison Barnes, on the final game of a 7-game road trip. Irving, who suffered a fractured kneecap in Game 1 of the Finals, made his return this week and will be monitored closely as the Cavaliers begin a stretch of four games in five nights.
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There is incentive for Cleveland, which was essentially outclassed by the Warriors after taking a two-games-to-one lead in the series. “I’m happy that we’re playing the Golden State Warriors”. They are the NBA’s biggest attraction.
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Don’t misunderstand. Both teams want to win.
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Cleveland is a solid 19-7, but that’s nothing close to dominant.
The victor will likely say all the right things about it being a good test and great competition and fun for the fans, but add that the game was no more important than any other. It significantly altered the Cavs’ offense and also changed how the Warriors defended them.
The Cavaliers need to be competitive in this game.
“Can they put a chip in my arm where I can shoot like Steph Curry? No?” He said it’s simply a mindset he needs to play at his peak. The Cavs pushed the Warriors to six games in the Finals despite playing without Love and Irving. They’ve lost once in 27 games this season – the “96 Bulls” NBA-record 72-10 regular-season mark seemingly well within reach. “It’s going to be a chance for us to compete, see where we’re at and hopefully go out there and have a great showing”. Those are big games. Where each team differs is how much importance that win holds. “I feel like anybody who’s at the level I’m trying to be at, if you don’t think that when you’re on the floor, then you’re doing yourself a disservice”. “You’ve got to be a victor, and have all the right trajectory as a player and as a team to back that up”. An NBA superstar for two decades, Bryant last topped the ESPN poll at the start of 2013, and his announcement that he will retire after this season has ensured plenty of ongoing coverage, even as his Lakers are having a dismal campaign.
For the first time in almost a decade, James’s transcendence is being matched by another’s. And yet it seems like only a Warriors crash or Curry injury could open the door for James to win MVP for the fifth time.
“I remember everything, and I can not remember the last time we had everyone in the huddle”, James said after Cleveland defeated NY 91-84 on Wednesday. ‘Obviously, me being [nearly] 31, I’ve seen everything and Kobe’s seen everything. “Our communication and effort level were more what we’re accustomed to”. You’ve got to know where he is at all times.
When asked if he felt freakish being a sage despite being in his prime, James said, “It’s inevitable”.
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Yes, there is a long way to go. Among active players, the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade is second to Bryant in games played (10) and scoring (258) on Christmas Day. He’s the NBA’s best in plus-minus (+12.1 points), which means the Warriors are further ahead this year with him on the court than any team with any other player.
