If the Warriors were due for a stinker, the bill arrived in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers, the lone remaining undefeated team in the league, completely dominated Golden State, who never led in the contest. Former Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson’s group started 13-for-17 from 3 and built a commanding 40-point cushion in the first half.
Already having cemented a successful road trip with a win at the defending champion Boston Celtics’ place, the Warriors (7-2) didn’t come close to extending their five-game winning streak in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers scored a franchise-record 83 points in the first half en route to a 136-117 victory — their 10th consecutive victory to begin the season. Their starters, led by Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, outscored those of the Warriors 91-40.
“There’s going to be games in the 82 where things don’t go your way and you have to show where you are,” Steve Kerr told reporters postgame, via the San Francisco Chronicle. “I was impressed with the guys’ energy and the way they kept playing (in the second half). And that’s important to establish.”
With everyone available at their disposal, the Warriors started Steph Curry, Gary Payton II, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis. But from the start, the Cavaliers took control.
Garland, fully healthy after spending much of last year battling a broken jaw, carved up the Golden State defense that entered the game ranked second in efficiency. Cleveland ripped off a 17-0 run across five minutes and hit seven of 10 3-pointers en route to a 39-22 opening period.
Kerr played 10 Warriors in the first quarter, leaving Moses Moody and Kyle Anderson on the bench. Anderson started the second quarter and Moody joined him shortly thereafter as Kerr continued to use a deep 12-man rotation.
The Cavaliers handled Golden State’s traps on high ball screens much better than other teams have, finding release valves and then open shooters. A pair of corner 3s from Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade helped prevent the Warriors’ bench from turning the game like it has all season.
