Cavs out played by Warriors 118-108
BY STONE LEXINGTON
CAVALIERS BEAT WRITER
He’s The history between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors is widely known. The two teams have met in each of the last three NBA Finals, and many expect them to clash for a fourth time this June. However, there’s plenty of basketball to play before either team can vie for the sport’s ultimate prize.
Monday evening in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day special, the Cavs and Warriors met for the second and final time this season, this time in the confines of Quicken Loans Arena. In their first meeting this season, Cleveland traveled to Golden State for a warm Christmas Day affair, something the Cavs surely weren’t overly upset about considering the weather in Cleveland at the time. Nevertheless, the outcome didn’t go Cleveland’s way, as the Warriors escaped the Bay Area with a seven-point victory. Monday night, the story wasn’t much different.
Golden State topped the Cavs …. Monday night en route to a 2-0 sweep of the Cavs this season. The Warriors victory also snapped the Cavs’ 13-game home winning streak.
“You just have to be sharp,” Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said about facing the Warriors. “You can’t have defensive lapses or mistakes when you relax and Steph’s still moving and makes a three, or Klay the same way. You just have to be attentive and understand where those guys are at.”
Although the Cavs entered Monday having lost eight of their last 11 games, they were competitive against Golden State through three quarters. Cleveland and Golden State found themselves tied at 93 after an Isaiah Thomas jumper with 11:46 to play, but the Warriors immediately went on a 12-2 run to take a 105-95 lead with 5:44 remaining. The Cavs never recovered.
“They’re the only team that you can be looking at the game and it’s a two-point game, then you goto the bathroom, come back out and they’re up 15,” Lue said. “They’re offense is just unbelievable.”
LeBron James led Cleveland with 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Kevin Love chipped-in 17 points, but was in foul trouble much of the second half, which hindered any Cavs comeback attempt. Thomas totaled 19 points and four assists on 8-of-21 shooting.
Kevin Durant and Steph Curry were the catalysts for Golden State. The duo combined for 55 points (Durant - 32, Curry 23), giving the Cavs a preview of what they’re in store for should the two teams meet again in the Finals.
Cleveland had been undefeated against Western Conference opponents this season, but the Warriors are known for breaking streaks. Although Cleveland dropped its ninth game in its last 12 outings, Lue doesn’t seem overly worried about the Cavs’ prospects in the East.
“We’re not right now, but we will be the best team in the East, yes,” Lue said. “We’re not playing the best right now, but we will be.”
Cleveland will look to get back on track Thursday against the Orlando Magic.
POSTED 01/15/2018 23:22
Lake County Sentinel
