Live Thread: Cavs vs. Warriors (or 25th on the 25th)
2017-12-25
We’re here, folks. The day the NBA season really starts is always December 25th. It’s the one day of the year that the NBA owns the national sports landscape, and it’s usually filled with playoff previews. Today proves no different, with New York and Philly having tipped off at noon and Philly edging ahead by eight with two minutes left as I write this. Of course, the Cavs are taking on the Warriors at 3:00 in what will be the 25th game between the two teams since LeBron’s return to Cleveland.
SB Nation’s Tim Cato had a great breakdown of the 24 games of the rivalry over. Of course, we know which game ranks number one, and surprisingly, last year’s Christmas day game ranks number two all time.
I’ll the Steph Curry mouthpiece toss for my number two, but that’s neither here nor there. Important things to note: today’s game is usually the only meaningful one between the two in the regular season, because the MLK day game is usually a blowout. But with Steph missing today’s contest with an ankle injury and Isaiah likely back in the fold for Cleveland, MLK 2018 might end up being the best regular season game yet between these two.
The Cavs are rolling heading into this one having won 19 of their last 21 after starting the season 3-5. At 26-7, the Dubs are no regular season slouch either, though to be fair, both teams’ December schedules are pretty soft. Cleveland will have their (mostly) full compliment of players, excepting Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas. Iman Shumpert is also listed as out. For Golden State, Shawn Livingston returns to wreak havoc from midrange, while Kevon Looney and Zaza are listed as probable.
Other news of note: no special Christmas day uniforms from Nike (SB Nation’s Tim Cato again), as Cleveland opts to wear its black. I predict an all-time performance for the King to give him something to celebrate before his Napa Valley “mini vacation”, and the Cavs winning 122-112 somewhat comfortably as the Warriors are too slow awaking from their Christmas slumbers.
Hard to believe just shooting 29% and just down 2.
so we held them to 46 – that seems good?
It is. Unfortunately we held ourselves to 44 :(
We are timid around the hoop. TT kills the Dinobots (along with Lue’s stupidity). 3/24 FGs in the 2nd quarter is pathetic.
Horrid second quarter, only down by 2. I’ll take it. Let’s regroup and get some momentum going. We need more Wade and some of Frye.
Get. Kevin. Love. The. Ball.
i dunno hes not been on fire exactly. some bad passes and turnovers.
Cavs leading scorer.
11 pts and 11:boards
klove…… cmon man
James whacked on the head. No call.
Crowder you cannot miss that
agreed
Waaaaay too much slop…
Cavs doing a great job of trapping KD. But KD still contributing on other end.
as cold as a northern ohio Christmas day !!!
Too much iso.
Passing to Love in the post might be good
Crowdugh
No one besides James, Love, & Korver can make a shot. Lot of shrinkage going on.
They were in the pool! THEY WERE IN THE POOL!
i resent the nba pissing on my xmas by making me watch the frauds every year
Love has missed a few.
Cavs just missing too many shots.
At 32% they just said. Cavs should be thrilled the game is so close.
Seems like Durant never misses from that spot…
We need to stop shooting bticks
Jordan Bell would look good on the Bulls, but the Bulls FO are morons…
Van Gundy in rare annoyance form tonight.
Dislike Jeff Van Grundy a lot. Put a sock in his mouth
of all players to have WIRED up —and they have to pick draymond—–just felt my Christmas meal move !!!
Love is in the air!
man— 1/12 and the the game is tied
Jeff Green with some nice moves to get to the hoop, but shots not falling.
Cavs have to stop losing Klay behind the arc. Have dodged some bullets.
1-11 with this unit. Whatever TT adds on D, he messes up on O. PLAY Frye with this unit.
Kerr >> Lue.
I rebutted
Second unit not hitting but I don’t thing it’s TT. And if TT contributes to slow paced possession game, so be it.
Dubs seem hesitant. We have the personnel to go one on one against them.
Pace favoring cavs
Welcome to Brick City…
James never got to rest this much against GS last year
Nope. Not at all.
http://thenewswheel.com/wp-content/themes/patterns/timthumb.php?src=http://thenewswheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Beverly-Hills-Cop-Banana-in-Car-Tailpipe-scene.jpg
Dear Lue: TT does not work with this unit. Try Frye.
Correct. TT is pretty much useless in this game.
agreed, but its ty so he wont try it
Terrible call, but hilarious…
Second unit a little three happy.
Cavs bench so mu h bigger this year. Dubs can’t run their whole offense around posting Livingston
will cedi see any action today or will ty think the stage is too big
Green shoulda passed out there.
kd is such a poser trying to tangle with a guy 2 foot shorter and 10 years older
All part of The Hardest Road…
lololol
http://www.spunkybean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Eastbound.png
Arrived at the in laws. They got rid of cable and switched to Sling and have no idea how to get the game on. Farts.
It’s on regular TV, not cable. I’m using a splitter from the internet line to the TV.
http://www.buffstream.com/watch/nba-4.php
Close out the pop-up window asap and hit play again.
Focus on how much money they are saving by cutting the cable.
Wade like LeBron last year. So much better from the left side.
KLove just can’t pass out of the post with Klay guarding him
Word. And it was a bad pass. If you are getting Korver an open 3 or someone a layup, OK.
These refs are Garbage. Cavs fouled twice to stop break and refs wouldn’t call it. They’re gonna get someone hurt the way they’re calling this.
Wade looking relaxed.
Hahahaha dubs are such talented whiners. Like seriously…they are stacked beyond any team in history and can’t get out of their own way.
warriors = worst…well…KD, Steph and Draymond
Señor Cojones!!! LOVE IT!
Does GS lead the league in whining?
Yes
Nice start for Cavs.
KD is such a punk.
As an aside, nice to see that video clip of IT dunking. Impressive.
Cmon JR wake up even though it is noon
God, the Dubs are absolutely insufferable…
Lol. KD tried to hump JR in midair to draw that foul.
Really glad they didn’t bail out Durant on that three flop…
Fun game so far. A no call on a love three balanced out by a no call on KD. That Crowder call was trash though. Like his aggressiveness early though.
Would be great for Jae to have a signature game. Good start
Yeah. He needs to get his confidence up.
Refs calling fouls on Durant but not on Love or LeBron. SMH…
Another phantom foul
Durant missed, so justice served.
Thunderous dunk from the king!
not really seeing this as a “barometer ” game —put too much into it —a lot of KEY pieces missing / still somewhat early in the season / etc.—-with all that said I hope we ‘ mop the floor ” with these dubs —GO CAVS —MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
Let’s go Cavs!
You know Durant is going to try to one up Lebron in this game…
I’m sure Draymond gonna say something about how we can’t win without Kyrie.