November 9th 2024.
It was a tough night for the Warriors as they faced the Cavaliers in Cleveland. After a successful road trip that included a win against the defending champions, Boston Celtics, the Warriors were unable to extend their five-game winning streak. The Cavaliers, who were the only undefeated team in the league, completely dominated Golden State and never let them take the lead.
Former Warriors assistant, Kenny Atkinson, led his team to a strong start, shooting 13-for-17 from the 3-point range and building a commanding 40-point lead in the first half. The Cavaliers scored a franchise-record 83 points in the first half, thanks to the impressive performances of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Their starters outscored the Warriors' starters 91-40, securing their 10th consecutive victory of the season.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr knew that there would be tough games throughout the 82-game season and he was impressed with his team's energy and effort despite the loss. He said, "There's going to be games where things don't go your way and you have to show where you are. I was impressed with the guys' energy and the way they kept playing. And that's important to establish."
The Warriors had all their players available for the game, but even with the star-studded lineup of Steph Curry, Gary Payton II, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, they were unable to stop the Cavaliers from taking control of the game from the start. Garland, who had battled a broken jaw last year, had a standout performance and led his team to a 17-0 run in just five minutes.
Kerr used a deep 12-man rotation, giving playing time to 10 Warriors in the first quarter. However, the Cavaliers' strong offense and efficient defense prevented the Warriors' bench from making a significant impact, something they had been able to do in previous games this season.
The Cavaliers' dominant performance was evident even when their jump shots started to dry up in the second half. They found other ways to control the game, with Jarrett Allen's rebounding and their defense forcing 12 turnovers from the Warriors in the first half. Meanwhile, Golden State's best defender, Draymond Green, found himself in serious foul trouble before the end of the first half.
In the second half, the Cavaliers' intensity may have waned slightly due to their massive lead, but they still maintained their dominance. The Warriors' only consistent scorer was Jonathan Kuminga, who finished the game with 21 points, six rebounds, and five assists in just 29 minutes of play.
Despite a late push from the Warriors' bench, which included De'Anthony Melton's return from a mild back injury, the Cavaliers' lead was never in jeopardy. The Warriors' starters, including Curry and Green, never returned to the game as the reserves were playing exceptionally well and it made more sense to let them finish the game.
Throughout the season, the Warriors have been able to rely on their depth to give their star players some rest, but against the Cavaliers, they were unable to do so. The Cavaliers' dominant performance was a reminder that there will be tough games, and it's important for the team to establish their energy and effort even in the face of a tough loss.
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