Cavaliers Take The Fight Out Of Warriors Win 112-97

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night needed just three quarters to defeat the Golden State Warriors. Cleveland had played so dominantly in the second and third quarters, that their starters watched the fourth quarter from the bench as the team won 112-97. Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James led all players with 23 points, playing just 31 minutes.

Golden State came strong out of the starting gate while the Cavliers looked lost in the game’s opening minutes trailing 12-2. But Cleveland was able to recover and the Warriors lead was down to just 3 points 32-29 at the end of the quarter. After trailing for most of the second center Zydrunas Ilgauskas drove the lane and put it up and in giving the Cavaliers a 50-47 lead with 2:25 left in the quarter. Cleveland would hold the advantage and walked into the locker room at the half leading 58-52.

James basically broke Golden State’s spirit as he hit consecutive 25 foot treys putting his team up 84-64 with 3:04 remaining in the third. Cleveland finished the quarter on a 10-4 run and were ahead 94-68 as the period ended. Golden State was able to make the margin look some what more respectable during the last 12 minutes.

LBJ scored 23 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, in the Cleveland victory. Ilgauskas added 21 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, playing just 19 minutes. Mo Williams had 16 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, Daniel Gibson came off the bench and put in 16 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds. Delonte West contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.

The Warriors were led by guard C.J. Watson who came in off of the pine and had 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals. Jamal Crawford scored 15 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, Stephen Jackson added 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block. Corey Maggette put in 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assists. Cleveland with the win improves to 13-3, the Warriors are now 5-11.

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