The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers play Monday night for the second time since the Warriors’ win in last season's NBA Finals.
Golden State won the first matchup this season, 89-83, on Christmas Day. The 89 points are a season low for the Warriors and the 83-point outing is Cleveland’s second-lowest of the season.
Here is a look inside that low-scoring matchup.
Guarding Curry
Stephen Curry was relatively quiet in the Dec. 25 game, scoring 19 points while taking fewer shots than both Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
The Cavaliers double-teamed Curry on 20 plays that game. When Curry was doubled, the Warriors shot 5-of-14 and had as many turnovers (four) as assists. Green had only one assist opportunity on those plays and Curry himself had just two assists when double-teamed.
Of Curry’s 15 shots, four came when receiving a pass directly from a teammate. Curry went 3-for-11 when creating his own offense and 3-for-4 when shooting off a pass.
Despite being second in the NBA in points per game in transition, Curry was limited to two shots in transition against Cleveland. His only points in transition came after drawing a foul.
Guarding LeBron
Slowing down LeBron James was a true team effort for the Warriors in December. No player was the primary defender on more than six of James’ 26 shots that game. Eight different Warriors players were the primary defender on a shot attempt.
Golden State did not allow James to find open looks. Of his 26 shots, 24 were contested. James made both of his uncontested shot attempts.
Cleveland’s woeful finishing
The Cavaliers shot 32 percent from the field against the Warriors, the third-worst field goal percentage by a LeBron James team in a game in which he played (he has played in 948 career games).
Cleveland struggled from inside and from beyond the arc.
They made 5-of-30 field goal attempts from behind the 3-point line, their worst in any game this season. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were a combined 0-for-11 from long range.
The Cavs were 16-of-40 in the restricted area (40 percent). The 24 misses in the restricted area are their most in a game this season.
Golden State gave up 19 uncontested field goal attempts on 95 total shots (20 percent).
Green’s defense, playmaking on full display
Green had seven assists against the Cavaliers in December, which is actually below his season average.
However, looking at shots made and missed, Green had a team-high 12 assist opportunities. Of those 12 assist opportunities, seven resulted in open looks. Green created more open looks than any player in the game.
Cleveland shot just 4-for-20 when guarded by Green. Love made 1-of-8 shots when Green was the primary defender.
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Golden State won the first matchup this season, 89-83, on Christmas Day. The 89 points are a season low for the Warriors and the 83-point outing is Cleveland’s second-lowest of the season.
Here is a look inside that low-scoring matchup.
Guarding Curry
Stephen Curry was relatively quiet in the Dec. 25 game, scoring 19 points while taking fewer shots than both Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
The Cavaliers double-teamed Curry on 20 plays that game. When Curry was doubled, the Warriors shot 5-of-14 and had as many turnovers (four) as assists. Green had only one assist opportunity on those plays and Curry himself had just two assists when double-teamed.
Of Curry’s 15 shots, four came when receiving a pass directly from a teammate. Curry went 3-for-11 when creating his own offense and 3-for-4 when shooting off a pass.
Despite being second in the NBA in points per game in transition, Curry was limited to two shots in transition against Cleveland. His only points in transition came after drawing a foul.
Guarding LeBron
Slowing down LeBron James was a true team effort for the Warriors in December. No player was the primary defender on more than six of James’ 26 shots that game. Eight different Warriors players were the primary defender on a shot attempt.
Golden State did not allow James to find open looks. Of his 26 shots, 24 were contested. James made both of his uncontested shot attempts.
Cleveland’s woeful finishing
The Cavaliers shot 32 percent from the field against the Warriors, the third-worst field goal percentage by a LeBron James team in a game in which he played (he has played in 948 career games).
Cleveland struggled from inside and from beyond the arc.
They made 5-of-30 field goal attempts from behind the 3-point line, their worst in any game this season. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were a combined 0-for-11 from long range.
The Cavs were 16-of-40 in the restricted area (40 percent). The 24 misses in the restricted area are their most in a game this season.
Golden State gave up 19 uncontested field goal attempts on 95 total shots (20 percent).
Green’s defense, playmaking on full display
Green had seven assists against the Cavaliers in December, which is actually below his season average.
However, looking at shots made and missed, Green had a team-high 12 assist opportunities. Of those 12 assist opportunities, seven resulted in open looks. Green created more open looks than any player in the game.
Cleveland shot just 4-for-20 when guarded by Green. Love made 1-of-8 shots when Green was the primary defender.
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