The surging Golden State Warriors were halted dead in the tracks by the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers at the halftime of their NBA League Pass matchup on Friday. The Cavaliers dropped a season-high 83 points while holding the Warriors to 42 on 41.0% shooting (16-39 field goals).
Steve Kerr's team couldn't find any momentum after the Cavaliers began the game on a 20-2 run. That set the tone for this lopsided game. The Cavs made 12 more field goals and shot 65.9%, including 15 3-pointers, setting them on course to break the record for most 3s in a game.
They had an unlikely hero in Isaac Okoro, who scored 16 first-half points, shooting four 3s and six field goals. Evan Mobley had 14 points, while Darius Garland tallied 11 points and six assists.
NBA fans were stunned by how the game played out. One fan mocked Warriors coach Steve Kerr over his presidential pick, Kamala Harris' loss, saying:
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"Lmaooooo is Steve Kerr still crying over the election?"
One more fan mocked Kerr regarding this, saying:
"Well, Steve Kerr endorsed Kamala"
One fan said this is how the Cavaliers would look like during their NBA finals battles with the Warriors if Kevin Durant never joined Golden State.
"This is what them finals would of looked like if KD never joined the Warriors"
"smoking that warriors pack!" another added.
Steve Kerr reacts to Warriors' biggest loss of the year
Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn't hold back about the team's lack of organization and discipline offensively in their massive 136-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kerr lamented the Warriors' 13 first-half turnovers that resulted in a 41-point deficit in the opening 24 minutes.
"We had 13 turnovers in the first half," Kerr said. "We were completely disorganized, and that's where I feel like we need the most work. We've gotta continue to work on our organization and getting settled so that we can execute and understand how to execute against the team that's playing at that level."
The Warriors have historically been a high turnover-rate team under Steve Kerr. But that took a shift this year. His emphasis has been to play with more organization and discipline. Golden State isn't the only team that plays with a fast-paced offense and is in transition to get better looks.
The entire league does that and it can hurt the Warriors just as much as they can hurt other teams. The Cavaliers have also adapted that style with former Dubs assistant Kenny Atkinson taking over the mantle as their new coach. Throw ahead passes have been a staple on the Cavs offense, helping them lead the league's offensive ratings.
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