Warriors get chippy as they put away Cavaliers
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors certainly looked ready to trade some more blows with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers come June.
The two-time reigning MVP hit five 3-pointers and had 20 points while matching his season best with 11 assists in Golden State’s 126-91 rout of the visiting defending champs.
Klay Thompson scored 26 points with five 3s, and Draymond Green produced his third triple-double of the season with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He also equaled his career best with five blocks — and had another dustup with King James in the process.
James had 20 points on 6of-18 shooting and eight rebounds, and he and Green became the talk once more as their relationship turned even more testy.
Kevin Durant added 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks for the Warriors in a much-hyped matchup merely weeks after Golden State lost, 109-108, in Cleveland Christmas.
The rivals’ latest holiday game marked the Cavaliers’ first trip back to Oracle Arena since capturing the title seven months ago.
Kyrie Irving — who hit game-winners against Golden State in the past two matchups, including the championship clincher — scored 17 points.
Cleveland shot just 35.2 percent ( 31 for 88) overall. Beyond embarrassed, Cavaliers players made for the tunnel before the final buzzer even sounded.
The latest altercation between Green and James came with 6:55 left in the first half. Golden State led, 52-35, when James collided with Green near midcourt, resulting in a flagrant-1 foul.
Green’s arm extended across the upper body of James, who went down hard and lay on the court. Green reacted by appearing to mock James for flopping. After a long replay review, a double technical was called on Green and Richard Jefferson.
You bet this one meant a lot to the Warriors to regain some swagger in this rivalry after Cleveland had won the past four meetings.
Other games
Nuggets 125, Magic 112: Nikola Jokic scored a career-high 30 points and Emmanuel Mudiay dished out a career-best 13 assists as Denver beat Orlando.
Pacers 98, Pelicans 95: Jeff Teague fell just short of the first triple-double of his career and Paul George scored 19 points to help host Indiana beat New Orleans. 76ers 113, Bucks 104: Joel Embiid scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half and visiting Philadelphia beat Milwaukee.
Wizards 120, Trail Blazers 101: Bradley Beal scored 25 points and John Wall had 24 as host Washington hit 13 3pointers in a victory against Portland.
Hawks 108, Knicks 107: Dennis Schroder scored 28 points, including the goahead 3-pointer with 22 seconds left, to lead visiting Atlanta past New York.
Celtics 108, Hornets 98: Isaiah Thomas scored 35 points and surging Boston had a fairly easy time with visiting Charlotte.
Jazz 106, Suns 101: Joe Johnson scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter as Utah won in Phoenix.