Although deprived of four of its stars, Golden State, led by Jordan Poole, made a demonstration of three-point shooting in Cleveland on Friday, with 23 successful attempts, to obtain a convincing success (120-114).
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Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green did not participate in the meeting, the day after the heartbreaking defeat of the reigning NBA champions in overtime against the Celtics in Boston (121-118).
But thanks to Poole's 32 points and Ty Jerome's 22 points, the Warriors picked up their first away win this season against a team with a positive record.
They set the pace by making seven of eight three-pointers in the first quarter, and their 14 three-pointers in the first half are the most ever by a Cleveland opponent in a half game.
Cleveland cut their deficit to four points with two minutes left, but Jerome quickly made another three-point shot to seal Golden State's stranglehold.
"
It's just one night where a group of guys came in and played with confidence, played with strength
," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose team moved up to 7th in the Conference. West after a calamitous start.
Kerr wants fewer matches
“
When you get a win like this, and everyone feels good about their own game, it gives you a little boost
,” said the former Cleveland fullback.
Kerr assumed having left his starters on the bench, saying that injured players had to be given a chance to rest or avoid risking an injury that could harm the rest of their season or the play-offs.
"
I feel bad for the fans who buy tickets and expect to see someone play
," said the Warriors coach.
“
It's a brutal aspect of the business.
This is why I will continue to plead for seasons of 72 games
” against 82 currently, he explained.
Darius Garland scored 21 points for Cleveland, which was once again without Donovan Mitchell with a groin injury.
Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff said the problem wasn't a missing Cavs player but the attitude of his troops.
"
We didn't respect the game. It's as simple as that
," Bickerstaff lamented.
“
They have champions there, and we thought with some of those guys missing we were going to be able to take the game lightly and we got what we deserved
.
Doncic on its way
The Los Angeles Lakers beat Memphis (122-121), thanks to a decisive end to the game from their German point guard Dennis Schröder, ending the Grizzlies' 11-game winning streak.
Russell Westbrook (29 points) and LeBron James (23 points) had their usual influence on the performance of the Lakers, in 13th position in the East but who seem able to hang the play-offs with still 36 games to play.
In Dallas, MVP contender Luka Doncic scored 34 points, making five of eight three-point attempts in the massive success of the Mavericks, fifth in the East against Miami, seventh in the West (115 -90).
The Slovenian added 12 rebounds and seven assists.
The Mavs, solid in defense, thus ended a series of three games without a win.
On the Heat side, if Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro scored 18 and 16 points respectively, star Jimmy Butler was limited to 12 points.
Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a win over the San Antonio Spurs (131-126).
In Atlanta, the Hawks managed to win against the New York Knicks (139-124).
Dejounte Murray scored 29 points and Trae Young added 27 points for the Hawks, who sped up to break away in the final quarter.
Julius Randle's 32 points for New York have all been achieved before that.
The Orlando Magic, 13th in the East, also finished strong, passing the New Orleans Pelicans, 4th in the West, in the last quarter for a precious victory at home (123-110). .
