Shooting struggles lead to first road loss vs. Cavaliers – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

In a 115-104 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Golden State Warriors saw the end of several streaks. Their five-game win streak and four-game road win streak to start the season came to a close. Additionally, the Warriors’ 12-game regular-season winning streak against the Cavs was snapped, with their last regular-season loss to Cleveland occurring on Christmas in 2016.

The game highlighted the Cavs’ advantage in size, overpowering the Warriors’ skill. Golden State shot 35.8 percent from the field and struggled in the paint, being outrebounded 55-44 and outscored 58-24 in points in the paint. The Cavs also had 26 fastbreak points, 16 more than the Warriors.

Despite their relentless effort, the Warriors couldn’t overcome these disadvantages, resulting in their 5th loss of the season. Here are three takeaways from the game:

Battle of the Backcourts

The clash between the Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and the Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland showcased the star power of both teams. Curry and Thompson, with their decade-long partnership and four championships, combined for 43 points in the game. However, Mitchell and Garland outperformed them, scoring a combined 55 points. Mitchell impressed with five 3-pointers, while Garland excelled at free throws.

One concern for the Warriors is their search for a reliable third scorer. While Draymond Green contributed 18 points, it’s not his primary role. Jonathan Kuminga showed promise with 15 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. However, Andrew Wiggins and Chris Paul struggled to make a significant impact.

Bench’s Slow Start

The Warriors’ bench, which had been reliable early in the season, had an off-night in Cleveland. Their lack of production was a major contributor to the team’s 12-point halftime deficit. With Curry and Thompson combining for 24 points in the first half, the bench players couldn’t match that level of performance, shooting 2 of 20 from the field and scoring only six points.

Despite a strong second-half showing from Kuminga, the second unit of Paul, Moody, Kuminga, Payton, and Šarić struggled to make an impact, being outscored 7-0 in their limited time on the court.

Welcome back, rookies

Warriors rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis made an immediate impact upon their return to the main squad after practicing with the G League affiliate. Jackson-Davis excelled in the third quarter with five points, three rebounds, one block, and one steal. Podziemski also provided energy and contributed to the team’s performance.

Both rookies have shown a positive mentality and a team-oriented playing style, which will likely lead to more opportunities for them in the future. Despite the loss, their presence was a much-needed spark for the Warriors.

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