Tied for first place in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors will visit the NBA’s last undefeated team, the Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass). Two of the best teams in the NBA this season are looking for a huge win, but only one can come out on top. Here are the five things to know about this matchup on Friday.
1. The Cavaliers are undefeated. One undefeated team is left standing in the NBA — the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Kenny Atkinson as its new coach, Cleveland has started 9-0. The Cavaliers’ hot start has been emphatically punctuated by a massive plus-12.6 point differential.
2. However, Golden State has been just as good. The Warriors start the season at 7-1, with their lone loss at home to the LA Clippers. They have a point differential of plus-15.8, which is the best in the NBA.
3. Stephen Curry is coming off his best game. The Warriors’ loss against the Clippers could have proven particularly disheartening, as Curry left that game with an ankle injury. With Curry missing the next three games, Golden State went undefeated. Curry has been back for two games, and he just dropped 27 points with nine assists and seven rebounds against the defending champs, the Boston Celtics.
4. Cleveland’s core four is crushing it. If the Cavaliers remain formidable, they could have an outside shot at four All-Stars. Darius Garland (52.3%) and Donovan Mitchell (48.5%) are boasting career-best field goal percentages. Evan Mobley is averaging a career-high 17.2 ppg and Jarrett Allen is pulling out a career-best 11.9 rpg.
5. Buddy Hield’s production: Buddy Hield has been a positive addition to the Warriors. He’s splashing 3-pointers, taking 9.1 per game and making 50.7% of them.