Spread climbs in Cavs-Warriors rematch

That much was apparent as Golden State defeated Cleveland 89-83 on Friday at Oracle Arena in a Christmas Day matchup of last year’s National Basketball Association finalists and this season’s conference leaders. Golden State, which owns the best record in the league, won despite a 6-for-15 shooting effort from star guard Stephen Curry, who finished with 19 points. “We just showed our versatility in trying to win in different ways”. Here’s what you need to know heading into the clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors at 5 pm ET on ABC. They kept the potent Warrior offense under 100 points for only the second time this season and only allowed them to make five shots from behind the arc.

“It’s good to practice and get experience in that type of game, as well, where it’s low-scoring, getting stops, knocking down free throws and executing in the half court”, Warriors interim coach Luke Walton said”. LeBron James had 25 dominating points, for the Cavaliers in Christmas-Day defeat.

“The memories will come back as soon as we walk into the building, but also understand it’s one of 82 and I’m not going to put everything into this game”, James said. “…We want to play well, going against a great caliber team, the best team in our league right now, but it’s not like the season ends if we lose or if we win, or whatever the case may be”. “LeBron is one of the best players in the world, one of the most dominating forces there has ever been in our game, and we have guys that like that challenge”.

But having both of those players healthy for the rematch did little to help Cleveland. Curry has done a better job distributing the ball in head to head meetings by averaging 8.2 assists per game compared to Irving’s 5.3.

They wouldn’t say it publicly, but they relished the thought of taking down one of the elite teams.

The Warriors built a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but James responded with a pair of dunks and a blocked shot on Thompson before Love’s tip-in made it 81-77 with just over two minutes to play.

HOUSTON (AP) – James Harden had 20 points and the Houston Rockets slowed down the soaring San Antonio Spurs with an 88-84 victory Friday night.

“And the fact that you can depend on him to do several things, including rebounding his position well, whether he’s playing on a win or whether he’s playing even as a power forward, so to speak”, said Blatt of James.

Part of the problem is their 3-point shooters aren’t making 3s.

They had led by nine points after the first quarter before the Cavaliers were gain ground.

He’s shown a few signs of his old self over the last five, averaging 23.8 points and shooting 46.2 percent while the Lakers have won twice. Center Tim Duncan added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Warriors at home sit comfortably, as LeBron and Company seek a sweet revenge to make their mark on the reigning champions who have made record start this season.

The Elias Sports Bureau notes that this is the seventh time in NBA history that a Christmas game was a rematch of the previous season’s NBA Finals. With Curry playing as well as he is, he may very well get that award this year, but will he also win the National Basketball Association most improved player award as well?

Thunder forward Kevin Durant led all scorers with 29 points on 11 of 21 shooting.