OAKLAND -- The Warriors and Cavaliers convene on Christmas Day for the most wonderful game of . . . the NBA regular season.
Sure, it’s KD and LeBron, Draymond and K-Love, Andre and D-Wade. It’s the teams that have met in each of the past three NBA Finals, with the Warriors winning twice, coming together for a noon matinee on national TV.
This time, though, the Warriors (26-7) will be without Stephen Curry, though they have won seven of the eight games since he left the lineup. Their win streak ended at 11 on Saturday, when they lost to the Nuggets.
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The Cavaliers (24-9) have recovered nicely from a start during which they lost seven of their first 12 games. The Cavs’ 19-2 mark since Nov. 11 is tops in the NBA.
BETTING LINE:
Warriors by 5
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
KD has spent much of his career chasing the achievements of LeBron, and after leading the Warriors past James and Cavs in the 2017 NBA Finals, can say he has succeeded in every significant way. They each have rings, MVP trophies and NBA Finals MVP trophies. Each is headed for the Hall of Fame, which is why the head-to-head battles between the small forwards are so intriguing. Durant reigned supreme the last time around, in The Finals, so James may be looking to make a statement. The winner of this battle gives his team a decisive advantage.
INJURY REPORT:
Warriors: G Shaun Livingston (R knee soreness), C Zaza Pachulia (L shoulder soreness) and Kevon Looney (gluteal strain) are available to play. G Stephen Curry (sprained right ankle) is out.
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Cavaliers: G Derrick Rose (L ankle sprain), G Iman Shumpert (L knee surgery) and G Isaiah Thomas (R hip labrum tear) are listed as out.
LAST 10:
Warriors: 9-1. Cavaliers: 8-2.
GAME OFFICIALS:
Derrick Stafford (crew chief), Leon Wood, Gary Zielinski.
SERIES HISTORY:
This is the first meeting between the teams this season. They split the two-game series last season, each team winning at home. The Warriors have won 10 of the last 13 overall, including the last three in Oakland. The teams have met in the past three NBA Finals, with the Warriors prevailing in six games in 2015, the Cavs winning in seven in 2016 and the Warriors winning in five last June.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH:
THE THREES: Though the Warriors have a reputation as a 3-point shooting team, the Cavaliers are more reliant on the long ball. They shoot 32.6 per game (third in the NBA) and their 12.5 makes rank only behind the pull-up-and-launch Rockets. The Warriors shoot 30 triples per game (11th) but make 11.6 per game. More important, they’re appreciably better at defending the arc: Warriors opponents shoot 35.2 percent from deep, while Cavs opponents are at 37.3.
THE BENCHES: The Cavs have done a nice job upgrading their bench, with Dwyane Wade being the key acquisition. Cleveland’s bench is sixth in scoring (40.6 points per game) and third in net rating (8.0). The Warriors are No. 1 in net rating (9.3) but only 18th in scoring (34.2). The Cavs are sixth in 3-point makes (4.5 per game), while the Warriors are 28th (2.4). The Warriors expect to have most of their regulars available, and that depth will come in handy.
THE POINTS GUARDS: With both starting PGs (Curry and Rose) out, the teams went in opposite directions. The Warriors have been going young, with Pat McCaw and Quinn Cook, while the Cavs turned to 36-year-old Jose Calderon. None of the three players average more than 25 minutes as starters, partly because they are alternate playmakers behind the likes of Green (Warriors) and James (Cavs). The Warriors anticipate the return of Shaun Livingston, and he can be a difference-maker.