The rivalry that defined the 2010s in the NBA will be renewed Saturday night when the Golden State Warriors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr remain from Golden State’s era of excellence. Curry, however, is sidelined for another week with a bruised left quadriceps, an injury he sustained Nov. 26 against the Houston Rockets.
The Warriors have lost two straight games, including 99-98 at the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday in a contest that saw rookie VJ Edgecombe tip in the game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds left.
“The effort was phenomenal, and I felt like we really deserved to win,” Kerr said. “The effort, the energy, the commitment was all there, so I feel bad for our guys. It’s just a shame we couldn’t finish it off.”
Pat Spencer has made the most of Curry’s absence, totaling 33 points and 10 assists in Golden State’s last two contests. The 29-year-old point guard is averaging career highs of 6.3 points, 2.8 assists and 14.1 minutes in his third season.
Starters Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody, along with reserves Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton, also have received increased time in the backcourt.
“We’re deep and we’ve got a lot of guys who can play from time to time, so I don’t envy Steve’s job at all,” Spencer said. “When we have No. 30 (Curry), we have a pretty clear-cut identity of who we are out there. When we don’t, we don’t. But I feel like I can be part of that equation.”
Golden State won three championships during the teams’ unprecedented four straight NBA Finals between 2015-18, while the Cavaliers captured their only crown in 2016 behind the heroics of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
Cleveland’s marketing department has made the rivalry the focal point of Saturday’s contest, welcoming back longtime fan favorite Anderson Varejao for a bobblehead giveaway. The mop-topped Brazilian spent his entire 14-year career with the two franchises.
The Cavaliers will complete a back-to-back set at home, having beaten the San Antonio Spurs 130-117 behind 28 points from Donovan Mitchell on Friday. Evan Mobley added 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
“Offensively, we’ve been begging our guys to get to the paint more, and Evan was getting to the rim,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Guys were getting downhill. That was the story of the game.”
“Jaylon is getting more and more comfortable, and started showing some extra moves,” Mobley said. “It’s hard, especially for a young player, trying to get yours and playing your role. I think he’s been figuring that out, which is good for us going forward.”
