The big one of the 2015 NBA Christmas schedule is the first rematch of the NBA Finals, as LeBron James takes a fully healthy Cleveland Cavaliers team to play on the road against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who have lost just once this season.
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Curry appeared well in the second half, driving past James to score on a layup and complete the 3-point play to give the Warriors a 57-49 lead. “Being 28-1 is more of a statement”. The Warriors led 45-42 at halftime. “It’s great experience for us”.
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Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) carries the ball against San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Manti Te’o (50). San Diego was coming off a win over the Dolphins in their last appearance, while Oakland fell to the Packers in Week 15.
In other Christmas games, Jimmy Butler scored 23 points to power Chicago over Oklahoma City 105-96 and Chris Bosh’s 30 points sparked Miami over New Orleans 94-88 in over-time.
The two teams meet again one more time in the regular season, on Martin Luther King Day in Cleveland, in another national TV game.
The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off in a tightly contested battle on Christmas. Walton said he is always concerned when his star has any injury but Curry said this will not be a long-term issue. We continue to do what we’re supposed to be doing. “We’ll be fine toward February and March”.
“The buildup was kind of the same as Game 1 of a year ago”, Curry said.
Surprisingly, the Warriors – who held Cleveland to 31.6% shooting overall and 16.7% from three-point range – mostly downplayed the most interesting element of their rematch after their most dominant defensive performance of the season.
Kevin Love chipped in 10 points and 18 boards, while Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith finished with 13 and 14 points, respectively. Maybe head coach David Blatt will mix things up when Irving (26 minutes) is able to play more often than the limited Matthew Dellavedova (31), but for now the Cavs look locked into a war of attrition.
At Houston, the Rockets improved to 16-15 while the Spurs, with the second-best record in the National Basketball Association, fell to 25-6.
Neither teams were at their best. “It’s a growing process for us”. We’ve gained confidence these last couple weeks.
“They’re a different team, we’re a different team”, Green said. “We’ll take this win”.
“It wasn’t part of a plan but whatever works works”, Butler said. “When we do, I mean, it’s going to be scary”. We’re not making no excuses, we still got to be a lot better, still got to move the ball, got to share the ball, get it moving from side to side, but offensively we were all out of rhythm. “If we play hard together, we can do anything”. LeBron James is averaging 27 points on 50 percent shooting, and adding in his usual eight rebounds and six assists.
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The Cavaliers (19-7), though, welcome back starting point guard Kyrie Irving, who made his season debut in a 108-86 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers last Sunday, after being out since Game 1 of the NBA Finals with a knee injury. The third quarter closed with the Warriors still in control, leading 64-59 headed to the fourth quarter. And you’ve got to wonder how much more management needs to see before they pull the trigger on a trade. “You just never know”. Cavs can make the most of it, and pull off a sensational win.
