Warriors won’t risk injured Stephen Curry vs Cavs
Steve Kerr
LOS ANGELES, Philippines — Golden State coach Steve Kerr won’t let the hype surrounding the Warriors’ Christmas Day clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers influence a decision on whether injured guard Stephen Curry is ready to return.
“The guy hasn’t even had a three-on-three game, right?” said Kerr, referring to his prized playmaker rehabbing an injured ankle.
“So if we weren’t playing Cleveland on Christmas and I told you Steph hasn’t played in a three-on-three game, hasn’t had any contact at all and the game is 48 hours from now, you’d say, ‘Oh, Steph’s not going to play.’
“But because of the magnitude of the game, everybody wants to know. But we can’t let that affect our judgment.
“He can’t play. That would be completely irresponsible if he did,” Kerr said.
Despite Curry’s absence, the Warriors remain 4.5-point favorites although it was a huge shift from the opening of 7.5.
Golden State, however is reeling from an 81-96 defeat to Denver last Sunday while Cleveland barely made it past lowly Chicago, 115-112, last Friday.
Kevin Durant has been holding down the top spot in fantasy hoops ever since Curry hit the sidelines, and he should keep the good times rolling for this Christmas Day Finals’ rematch with the Cavs set at 4 a.m. (Manila time). Durant roasted the Cavs during the Finals last year with averages of 35.2 points, 8.2 boards, 5.4 assists, 3.6 trey-bombs, 1.0 steal, 1.6 blocks and 2.2 turnovers per contest, so he’ll be a popular target on Christmas, and for good reason.
But LeBron James has been incredible this season and averaged a triple-double against the Dubs’ during last years Finals with 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 2.4 triples, 1.4 steals, 1.0 block and 4.2 turnovers per game,
Kevin Love is also expected to step up for the Cavs with JR Smith likely to return after missing their last game due to sore knee, along with Channing Frye.
The Warriors (26-7) and Cavs (24-9) had faced off in the past three NBA Finals, with the Warriors triumphing in 2015 and 2017.
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