Warriors vs. Cavs was no revenge game

Draymond Green had 22 points and a season-high 15 rebounds and the Warriors got defensive in their NBA Finals rematch against Cleveland, beating the Cavaliers 89-83 on Friday.

Shooting guard Klay Thompson, who like Curry made only one 3-pointer, added 18 points for the Warriors, who opened a five-game homestand with four straight wins.

James scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds but the Cavaliers fell to 19-8, 6-7 on the road, and saw their six-game win streak ended by the same team that beat them four games to two in last June’s NBA Finals.

Golden State’s shooting percentage wasn’t any better, shooting 41.0 per cent from the field (32-of-78 FGs) and 27.9 per cent from three (5-of-18 3FGs) but they championship-level defence that put the shackles on the Cavaliers’ key players. A few missed James free throws later, the Warriors walked away with their 28th win despite scoring less than 100 points for just the second time this season.

“We don’t believe you can make a statement with one game”, said interim head coach Luke Walton.

Coming into their game on Christmas Day, Cleveland finally had a fully-healthy team and a six-game winning streak. “I don’t see it as a replay of the Finals by any stretch but on the other hand it’s great for the game that so many people are interested in it and so many people are excited about it. We’re a part of that and that says something, too”. However, his best moment was when he just used a stare to silence this one fan who tried to mock him.

“That was the style (Cleveland) wanted to play, and they imposed their will on the game”, Green said.

L.A. Clippers skinny: Though just three games over.500, the team has plenty of star power with Blake Griffin (23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists), Chris Paul (17.5 points, 9.0 assists 2.04 steals) and DeAndre Jordan (11.4 points, 13.1 rebounds).

The Cavaliers were inept from long range, making 5 of 30 three-pointers. With no Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love watching helplessly from the bench, many experts felt that Golden State’s first National Basketball Association title since 1975 was tainted.

“I’m sure it’s tough to improve when you are already that good – he found those extra one-percenters and obviously worked hard on his movement off the ball and his ball handling”, Dellavedova said.

James responded with a pair of dunks and a blocked shot on Thompson before Love’s tip-in made the score 81-77 with slightly more than two minutes to play.

“Tonight our defense was absolutely unbelievable for all 48 minutes”, Warriors center Andrew Bogut said. The Warriors led 45-42 at the half.

Curry left the game briefly after the first quarter to have his strained right calf re-taped, but returned late in the first half and finished strong, scoring a pair of clutch baskets in the final 80 seconds of play.

“There was a lot of little things as far as the shots were concerned that on another day it doesn’t happen”, Blatt said of his team’s shooting woes. In 70 minutes, with Curry, Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green on the floor, the Warriors outscored the Cavaliers by 28 points.

Here’s your holiday basketball update: The Warriors did not get run over by a reindeer. We just have to keep going. Curry also has the advantage in field goal percentage by shooting.