Not since last April, after locking up the No. 1 seed in the postseason, have the Warriors lost consecutive regular season games. Their opponent Monday is capable of delivering such a blow.
That would be the Cavaliers, who were defeated by the Warriors in the 2015 NBA Finals. The teams meet at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, where the most recent memory for the Warriors is of champagne and a championship victory party at a downtown steakhouse.
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The Warriors (37-4) look to rebound from their worst performance this season, shooting 36.2 percent in a 113-95 loss at Detroit on Saturday, their second straight road loss. The Warriors have not lost three in a row on the road since December 2014.
The Cavs (28-10) have gotten better as the season has progressed. Much of that is related to the return last month of point guard Kyrie Irving, who was injured in Game 1 of The Finals.
Adding significance to this game is that Cleveland is 15-1 at home this season and has won its last six games at “The Q.”
BETTING LINE
Cavaliers by 3.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Harrison Barnes/Draymond Green/Andre Iguodala vs. LeBron James: James has been king of the NBA for most of his career, tipping the balance of power in the East simply with his presence on a roster. Iguodala did a remarkable job neutralizing James in The Finals. He may have to do it again, and he’ll have plenty of help.
Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving: It’s the reigning MVP going head-to-head with conceivably the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. Both play with a unique flair and they are among the top five ball-handlers in the league – if not 1-2. Irving’s health is not a factor this time, making this a particularly tantalizing matchup.
LAST 10
Warriors: 8-2
Cavaliers: 9-1.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F James Michael McAdoo (L foot toe sprain) is listed as doubtful.
Cavaliers: No injuries listed.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors won the first meeting this season, 89-83, on Dec. 25 at Oracle Arena, and have won eight of the last 10 in the regular season, including four of five in Cleveland. The Warriors beat the Cavs, 4-2, in the best-of-seven NBA Finals last June.
QUOTABLE
“We definitely have some great memories in that building. But that means nothing for tomorrow. We’ve got to come out with an edge, play with an edge, come out and compete at the highest level.” – Warriors forward Draymond Green on returning to Cleveland to face the Cavs.
