Wrap-Up – The Cavaliers didn’t have their fourth-quarter magic on Tuesday night, and the short-handed Warriors got 78 points from three players to snap the Wine and Gold’s win streak at three. Despite having six players in double-figures, Cleveland couldn’t contain Golden State’s Klay Thompson, who netted a career-high 32 points – going 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.
The Warriors, as a team, shot almost 54 percent from the floor and an eye-popping 69 percent from long-distance. They didn’t miss their first three-point attempt until midway through the third quarter. Golden State was in control for the majority of the night despite not having the services of Stephen Curry, Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut.
Cleveland was paced by Tristan Thopmson, who doubled-up with 18 points, 11 boards and a pair of steals. Dion Waiters added 18 of his own to go with a team-high seven assists. Tyler Zeller chipped in with 16 points, five helpers and three boards and Kyrie Irving – who was ill for morning shootaround – added 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Marreese Speights finished with a dozen points off the bench.
Turning Point – The Cavaliers led by a bucket less than three minutes into the second quarter of Tuesday’s matchup. Just over a minute later, Klay Thompson canned his second three-pointer to give Golden State a lead they would not relinquish. The Warriors went up by 11 at intermission and led by as many as 16 points in the second half.
Game Ball – Tristan Thompson – The sophomore forward was the most consistent Cavalier on Tuesday, going 8-of-14 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the stripe. Five of his 11 boards were on the offensive glass and he added an assist and a blocked despite battling foul problems for most of the second stanza. Thompson has now scored in double-figures in 20 of his last 22 contests and doubled-up for the 17th time this season.
By the Numbers – 27 … Road games for the Wine and Gold this season – tied with Utah for tops in the NBA. But the Cavaliers have just one more game away from The Q until February 23.
Quotable – Tristan Thompson, on the Cavaliers’ lackluster effort on Tuesday night …
“There was a lack of energy. Three of their main players were out tonight, but their reserve guys stepped up. We didn’t match their intensity and they hit us in the mouth.”
Up Next – The Cavaliers get a couple days off before heading to Detroit for a Friday night matchup with the Pistons, who’ve topped the Wine and Gold twice already this year. It’s the Cavs’ final road game before the All-Star Break. Cleveland comes home for a Saturday night affair against Kevin Durant and the Thunder – the first of seven straight games at The Q.