Game Preview: Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Golden State Warriors will play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET.
Golden State (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS, 2-4 O/U) beat Oklahoma City 141-139, and Cleveland (2-4 SU, 1-5 ATS, 3-3 O/U) lost 121-116 to Indiana on Friday in the group play round of the NBA In-Season Tournament. Last season, the Warriors won the season series 2-0.
The Cavaliers are one-point spread favorites and the game total is 227 points.
The Warriors aren’t going anywhere
Golden State earned a hard-fought victory against Oklahoma City on Friday, as Steph Curry led the way with 30 points on 9-of-15 shooting. The Thunder shot 60.2 percent, including 15-for-29 from three-point range, and outscored the Warriors 62-48 in the paint. However, they turned the ball over 19 times, which led to 30 Golden State points.
The Dubs are a veteran-led, experienced team with championship aspirations. The offseason addition of Chris Paul strengthened their core and the loss of Jordan Poole will be better for chemistry. Will they have the legs to make it through the gauntlet that is the NBA’s Western Conference?
The Warriors average 117.5 points per game (8th) and shoot 47.8 percent from the field (12th), including 37.1 percent from three (12th). They knock down 79.2 percent of their free-throw attempts (11th) and average 45.8 rebounds per contest (8th). Golden State’s opponents score 109.8 points per game (11th) and shoot 44.4 percent (7th) with a 32.5 shooting percentage from long range (5th). The Warriors rank 15th in pace of play, per Dunks and Threes.
Can Cleveland take the next step?
Cleveland lost to Indiana in the first In-Season Tournament game. Both teams shot 52 percent from the field, but the Cavs were off the mark from three-point range (28.6%). Cleveland’s defense was soft, surrendering 70 first-half points and giving Indiana the cushion it needed to outlast it in the second half.
The Cavaliers are an exciting, up-and-coming squad. Donovan Mitchell is the team’s engine, while Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland give Cleveland a solid cast of co-stars. Can Cleveland emerge from the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference?
The Cavs score 105.7 points per game (26th) and shoot 44.3 percent from the floor (25th) with a 32.7 shooting percentage from long range (23rd). They convert 78.1 percent of their foul shots (13th) and average 44.0 rebounds (18th). Cleveland’s opponents score 110.8 points per game (13th) and shoot 46.0 percent (14th), including 37.6 percent from three-point range (22nd). The Cavaliers rank 21st in pace, per Dunks and Threes.