Warriors vs. Cavs preview and gamethread
Cavaliers looking to continue franchise best start to 10-0
The Cavs look to continue their hot start to the season, as the Warriors come to Cleveland.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (9-0) vs. Golden State Warriors (7-1)
Where: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse - Cleveland, Ohio
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8
TV: Fanduel Sports Network Ohio (previously Bally Sports), NBA League Pass
Line: Cavs -4
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.
Cavs injury report: Max Strus - OUT (ankle), Emoni Bates - OUT (knee), Dean Wade - QUESTIONABLE (illness), Jaylon Tyson - QUESTIONABLE (left hip sprain)
Expected Warriors starting lineup: Steph Curry, Moses Moody, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Warriors injury report: DeAnthony Melton - OUT (back), Brandon Podziemski - QUESTIONABLE (illness), Draymond Green - QUESTIONABLE (knee)
Fear the Sword will be hosting a live stream watch party for select games this year on Playback. Join Tony Pesta as he reacts to what should a good game.
What to watch for
Rivalry reignited?
Heading into Friday’s matchup, the Cavs and Warriors are two of the best teams in the league.
Both teams have had success since their annual duals in the Finals, but it is safe to say that the Warriors have had the Cavaliers’ number since a certain number 23 left for Los Angeles a few years ago.
The Warriors are 7-2 against the Cavaliers since 2019-20, with the Cavaliers sweeping the season series last year. Now, both appear to be at the peak of their powers. Is it too early to say that this rivalry can be revived?
Kenny Atkinson vs. Steve Kerr
Kenny Atkinson is set to go toe to toe with his former boss Steve Kerr. Atkinson, who spent the last three years on the Warriors staff, took the job with the Cavaliers shortly before coaching with the French Olympic team.
“He’s a great coach,” Kerr said. “That’s the reason Cleveland just hired him, and I was very lucky to have him the last few years.”
Atkinson won a title as an assistant coach in 2022 with the Warriors when they defeated the Boston Celtics. Afterward, with Mike Brown departing for Sacramento, Atkinson was promoted to lead assistant.
Atkinson has the Cavaliers rolling currently at a league-best 9-0 and seems to be appreciative of his latest opportunity.
“What I think about is this team and the camaraderie they have, and the chemistry we have going and how connected they are,” Atkinson said. “I’ve been fortunate to land with a really good group, a group that’s been really successful in the past and I’m happy for them — and I think they’re happy for me in the locker room.”
Offensive firepower on display
The Cavaliers are a juggernaut on offense this season. They currently rank first in effective field goal percentage (60.9%) and second in three-point percentage (42%) according to Cleaning the Glass. What’s most impressive about the team is not that they generate their attempts in one particular way. They only rank top five in frequency in corner threes. The free-moving, fast-paced style has proven to succeed and now has a great test against the Warriors who are also excelling offensively.
The Warriors, true to their brand, are also efficient in their three-point shot-making. They currently rank fifth best from the perimeter. They also rank third in the league in offensive rating at 119.3.
The team as a whole, like Cleveland, is firing on all cylinders. They enter Friday’s game winners of five straight and are undefeated on the road. Fresh off an impressive win against the Celtics, where they handed Boston their first home loss of the season, they now turn to beat the last undefeated team in the Cavaliers.