Klay Thompson hit a key go-ahead three pointer with 1:33 left in the game, Durant blocked LeBron with less than a minute to play, and the Golden State Warriors managed to eke out a win versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas in an NBA Finals rematch. In Round III of the Christmas Day matchup, the Warriors and Cavs were both without their star PGs, as Stephen Curry and Isaiah Thomas were out with injuries. However, the other All-Stars on both teams came to play.
Kevin Durant had 25 Points and 5 Blocks, none more important than his rejection on James with 24.5 seconds left to play in the game. The Warriors were up by three and James had a clear lane to the basket. However, Durant was able tor recover on the play and force the ball off James, cementing the Warriors win.
Klay Thompson had 24 Points on 8/15 shooting and a clutch three-pointer that put the Warriors ahead for good. Draymond Green was everywhere on the court, finishing with 12 Points, 12 Rebounds, and 12 Assists.
For Cleveland, Kevin Love was unstoppable, finishing with 31 Points and 18 Rebounds, while superstar LeBron James finished with 20 Points, 7 Rebounds, and 6 Assists.
The game went back and forth throughout, with no team leading by double digits. The Warriors came out of the gate playing really sloppy, committing five turnovers in the first six minutes of the game. The Dubs managed to break ahead in the second quarter with the Cavs going ice-cold, shooting just 12.5% for the quarter.
As the game came down to the wire, the Warriors were able to string together key defensive stops and came up with late buckets to seal the win and give the ORACLE crowd their best Christmas present.
This matchup has blossomed into a solid rivalry, with both teams having the capability of beating one another. They should both be at full strength by their next meeting in January, as both Curry and Thomas are expected to return sometime this week.
The Warriors continue their home-stand with a matchup against the Jazz on Wednesday, while the Cavs travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings on Wednesday.
