Durant makes key block as Warriors’ defense frustrates Cavs
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors beat the Cavaliers on Christmas, which means Cleveland will have their number in the NBA Finals.
Right? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The defending-champion Warriors flexed their defensive might in beating the Cavs 99-92 Monday in the
third consecutive meeting between the two heavyweights on Christmas.
In each of the first two Christmas games between them, the loser went on to beat the other in the Finals. Golden State is the defending champ, so you know how last year went.
Kevin Durant scored 25 points for the Warriors, but it was his block on LeBron James with 24.5 seconds left on James’ drive to the hoop that rolled off James and out of bounds and all but buried the Cavs.
Replays showed Durant appeared to have fouled James multiple times on the play, but there was no call.
“He fouled me twice,” James said. “But, whatever. What are you going to do about it?”
Kevin Love paced Cleveland with 31 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, perhaps quieting the doubters who remain on the subject of whether Love’s skills translate in this rivalry.
James added 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Cleveland’s Jae Crowder, getting his first Cavs-Warriors taste, played well with 15 points and six rebounds.
Golden State’s Draymond Green recorded his first triple double this season with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Klay Thompson added 24 points.
Golden State played without the injured Stephen Curry and Zaza Pachulia. The Cavs, as they have all season, played without Isaiah Thomas. All will likely play when the teams reconvene in Cleveland on Jan. 15.
Again, this was about the Warriors’ defense. The Cavs shot a seasonworst .318 from the field and committed 14 turnovers.
Golden State blocked eight shots; Durant swatted away five by himself. The Cavs didn’t block any shots.
“I know Draymond is a great defender, David West uses his hands well, Durant is leading the league in blocks, but we get in the paint, we get in that area, we’ve got to score around the rim,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “We had some mismatches that we posted and we just couldn’t take advantage of.”
Love shot 9 of 25 and James 7 of 18. Dwyane Wade scored 13 points but was 4-of-11 shooting.
Cleveland’s bench, averaging a franchisehigh 40.6 points per game, finished with 21 points.
And yet, with all of that, it was tied at 92 when James scored on a drive with 1:59 left. James lost the ball out of bounds on a dribble and then was blocked by Durant on consecutive possessions. Thompson’s threepointer with 1:33 left put the Warriors ahead for good.
The Warriors survived 15 turnovers. They also blitzed the Cavs in transition and outscored them 33-9 on fast-break points.