Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland-cavaliers Picks and Predictions December 30th 2024

Kenny Atkinson’s Hot-Shooting Cavs Take on Middling Warriors

Kenny Atkinson returns to San Francisco on Monday as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, bringing the NBA’s top team into a matchup with the Golden State Warriors. Atkinson, a former Warriors assistant, has implemented an offensive style in Cleveland reminiscent of Golden State’s hallmark approach, and the results have been impressive.

Cleveland’s Offensive Explosion

The Cavaliers (23-4) are riding a six-game winning streak and have won 10 of their last 11 games. Their latest triumph, a 149-135 rout of the Denver Nuggets on Friday, showcased Cleveland’s offensive firepower. Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points, leading a balanced attack with three other Cavs scoring at least 22 points.

Cleveland’s offense, which ranks second in the league at 122.7 points per game, has been fueled by exceptional 3-point shooting. The Cavs hit 23 triples against Denver and lead the NBA in 3-point percentage at 40.9 percent.

“Don’t leave me open. Don’t leave nobody open on our team,” said Evan Mobley, who is averaging 18.8 points per game. “The depth of our team, everybody can shoot. … We’re not just forcing 3s, we’re taking the good ones night in and night out.”

Mitchell (23.6 points per game) and Darius Garland (20.6) anchor a dynamic offense that thrives on shot quality and ball movement, staples of the system Atkinson helped refine during his time with Golden State.

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Warriors Seeking Consistency

The Warriors (16-15) are coming off a much-needed 109-105 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. The victory snapped a stretch in which Golden State lost six of seven games and moved them just above .500.

Stephen Curry continues to lead the Warriors with 22.5 points per game, but his 3-point production has dipped slightly, with 4.2 made triples per game on 40.6 percent shooting. While still impressive, it marks his lowest 3-point output in a full season since 2017-18.

Golden State’s supporting cast is still finding its rhythm. Draymond Green recently emphasized the importance of Buddy Hield stepping up. Hield, acquired in an offseason trade, is averaging 12.9 points per game and shooting just under 40 percent from 3-point range.

“We need Buddy Hield to play great, we need Buddy Hield to make shots,” Green said. “We’re 16-15. We don’t love this. … Do we just keep doing the same thing and sit back on our hands? Or do we make a change?”

Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as a bright spot for Golden State, scoring 34 points in each of the last two games to boost his season average to 16.7 points per game. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised Kuminga’s recent performances, calling them “exactly what we’re looking for.”

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The Matchup

Cleveland’s league-best 3-point shooting will be tested against a Warriors defense that has been inconsistent this season. Golden State ranks in the middle of the league in opponent 3-point percentage (35.5 percent) and will need to find ways to disrupt Cleveland’s rhythm.

The Cavs, meanwhile, will face a challenge containing Curry and the surging Kuminga. With Atkinson’s inside knowledge of the Warriors’ system, Cleveland may have an edge in preparation as they aim to extend their hot streak.

This game represents a clash of styles and momentum, with Cleveland thriving on offensive efficiency and Golden State searching for stability. For Atkinson, it’s also a homecoming that adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup.