Durant spoils Cavs' Christmas

Shooting woes

The Cavs' 31.8-percent shooting was the lowest by a Warriors opponent since Charlotte shot 31.2 percent from the field on Feb 4, 2014.

"We just didn't make shots," Lue said.

Sure, this one felt a little strange without Curry or Kyrie Irving, now in Boston.

"Golden State-Cavaliers, that's a big game, no matter who's playing, who's out," Lue said.

"It will be weird, without Steph, without Ky, especially the battles we've had over the last three years. So both teams look different."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr knows just the uniforms are enough to get everybody going - and this marked the third straight Christmas matchup between the franchises, alternating home floors based on who won the title.

"It's always great to play the Cavs, they're an awesome team," Kerr said.

"LeBron is so amazing and it's so fun to feel the energy in the building when the two teams get together. Neither team will look the same as we will even a month from now because Steph and Isaiah Thomas both should be back, hopefully they'll both be back.

"But it doesn't even matter sometimes, just the two uniforms in the same building gets people going."

Tip-ins

Cavaliers: Lue isn't yet ready to guess when Thomas will return following his right hip injury. "He is progressing very well," Lue said. "The most important thing is that he is getting to practice and playing 5-on-5 and having a chance to experience feeling well after it and not having soreness."

Warriors: Durant averaged 32 points over his seven previous Christmas Day games ... Golden State played its fifth consecutive Christmas game and seventh in eight ... The Warriors were 10 of 37 on 3s after they went a dismal 3 for 27 from 3-point range in losing to the Nuggets.

Associated Press