udgingbytheplayers' facialexpressions, everywastedpossessionlookedasifitwas a colossalfailure. Thisgamematteredforbothteams. There's a mutualrespectwitheachteamobservingtheotherfromafar.
"I thinkit's goodfortheNBA," WarriorsinterimcoachLukeWaltonsaidofthefaninterestinwatchingthesetwoteamsfaceoff. "I wouldn't callit a rivalry, butwearelinked. Wehad a reallycompetitiveNBAFinalslastyear, andthey'reoneofthebestteamsintheEastandwe'reoneofthebestteamsintheWest. So I thinkit's goodforthefanstobuyintothat."
Itwassixmonthsagothat a frustratedClevelandsquaddepartedOracleArenaafter a Game 5 lossintheNBAFinals. TheWarriorshadsomethingclickingwiththeirsmall-balllineupanditwasresponsibleforthemsnatchingtwostraightwinstogoup 3-2 headingbacktoCleveland. TheCavaliershadtohavehad a feelingtheywouldn't becomingbacktotheBayArea. Theyeventuallydid, butitwasonChristmas.
"I wasthinkingwhen I wasonthebusand I guessaboutsixmonthshaspassedand I waslike, 'Geez, wewerejusthereyesterday," CavalierscoachDavidBlattsaid. "That's kindofwhat I felt. It's obviouslystillfreshinmymind. Noquestion."
NBAファイナル再戦でゴールデンステイト・ウォリアーズがクリーブランド・キャバリアーズを89-83で撃破 2016年クリスマスデー (In NBA Finals rematch, Golden State Warriors defeat Cleveland Cavaliers 89-83 on Christmas Day 2016)