The Warriors will play their second road game in as many nights when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons on Friday.
Warriors at CavaliersSunday, Dec. 2511:30 a.m.Quicken Loans ArenaCleveland, OH
TV: ABC
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network
CHRISTMAS DAY GAME
The Warriors will look to complete an undefeated road trip when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Christmas Day. This will be the first of two meetings between the defending NBA Finalists this season, and represents the fourth consecutive year Golden State will play on Christmas Day. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (Pacific). Watch the action on ABC, or listen to the call on 95.7 The Game and the Warriors Radio Network.
LAST TIME OUT
The Warriors earned their second road victory in as many nights after defeating the Pistons 119-113 on Friday. Full Recap
MATCHUP AT A GLANCE
GSW
27-4
1st in West
117.5 PPG (1st)
45.4 RPG (7th)
31.1 APG (1st)
CLE
22-6
1st in East
110.9 PPG (4th)
44.4 RPG (12th)
22.8 APG (9th)
PROJECTED STARTERS
GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Kevon Looney and Zaza Pachulia
CLE: Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Liggins, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson
INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: None. Team Notes
CLE: Mo Williams (not with team), Chris Andersen (right knee ACL tear), and J.R. Smith (right thumb fracture) are out. Team Notes
TURNOVERS
The Warriors committed 22 turnovers on Friday against the Pistons, and they were lucky it didn’t cost them in the end. It marked the second-most turnovers Golden State has committed in a game this season, and only the first instance in which they’ve turned the ball over at least 20 times and still managed to win. It’s pretty simple: when the Warriors take care of the ball, they’re nearly impossible to beat. They commit an average of 14.3 turnovers per game in victories compared to a league-worst 19.0 in defeats, and have committed at least 16 turnovers in each of their four losses on the season. Granted, Golden State was able to overcome their miscues on Friday, but they would be wise to not make the same mistakes against the defending champs on Sunday morning. It will surely be a raucous environment when the two sides meet for the first time since their phenomenal seven-game Finals series a year ago, and the Warriors certainly don’t want to feed into the crowd by providing LeBron James and his teammates with easy fast break opportunities.
TEAM LEADERS
GSW
PTS: Durant (25.9)
REB: Green (8.9)
AST: Green (7.4)
CLE
PTS: James (25.3)
REB: Love (10.8)
AST: James (8.7)
CLEVELAND SCOUTING REPORT
The presumption coming into the season was that the Cavaliers remained the class of the Eastern Conference, and thus far, it has played out that way. At 22-6, Cleveland sits 1.5 games ahead of Toronto for the top spot in the East, and trails only Golden State for the best record in the entire league. The Cavs continue to follow the lead of LeBron James, who ranks first on the team in points, assists and steals per game, and is practically certain to receive his 13th consecutive All-Star selection this coming February. Golden State knows just how impactful James can be after facing him in each of the last two NBA Finals series, and limiting his effectiveness will surely be a key to victory. Cleveland has never lost at home on Christmas Day. They’re 5-0 all-time, tied with the Miami Heat for the most wins without a loss on Christmas Day in NBA history, and you can bet the Warriors would love nothing better than to bring an end to their perfect record.