After an extremely essential win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, the Golden State Warriors hope to proceed their momentum after they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Heart on Monday.
The Cavaliers have taken all the things earlier than them this season, with their 27-4 file placing them 4.5 video games atop the Japanese Convention standings. They already simply dominated the Warriors in Cleveland earlier this season, having led by 41 at halftime earlier than finally successful 136-117.
The Warriors will probably be with out no less than two gamers on Monday
Golden State confirmed it will likely be with out second-year guard Brandin Podziemski after the 21-year-old suffered an stomach harm within the first half towards the Suns on Saturday. Podziemski had simply two rebounds and was -17 in his 11 minutes, with many crucial followers suggesting his departure really helped the Warriors overcome a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit.
It is higher information for one more younger participant, with Moses Moody more likely to return as he continues to take care of a knee harm. The fourth-year wing had 11 factors and 4 steals in 24 minutes towards the LA Clippers on Friday, however was dominated out for the second night time of a row.
Moody has performed simply 45 minutes over the previous 10 video games, after lacking six of these outings in what has change into an more and more regarding subject for the 22-year-old as he appears to be like to safe a beginning function. constant rotation below Steve Kerr.
Golden State will nonetheless be with out defensive guard Gary Payton II after he suffered a calf pressure on Christmas Day, whereas Cleveland is predicted to run a full rotation outdoors of Isaac Okoro who’s out with an AC joint sprain.
After back-to-back career-high 34-point performances towards the Clippers and Suns, the main focus from the Warrior’s perspective will probably be on Jonathan Kuminga and his potential to copy the identical success towards the Cavaliers.
Cleveland at the moment ranks ninth in defensive score and has the mix of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, with Kuminga placing up 21 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists within the first assembly between the 2 groups.
With out Payton as an choice off the bench, the protection of Andrew Wiggins and Dennis Schroder will probably be much more essential as Golden State makes an attempt to fight the league’s finest offense led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Each Cleveland guards are averaging over 20 factors on over 40% taking pictures from 3-point vary, whereas Caris LeVert can be averaging 12 factors on an unimaginable 47.4% from past the arc. outdoors the bench.
The Warriors are on the lookout for back-to-back wins for the primary time in over a month, having not recorded back-to-back wins since Nov. 20-22 towards the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans.
