Cavaliers’ Christmas Day comeback stokes NBA’s hottest rivalry
USA TODAY Sports
CLEVELAND — There was no air of satisfaction in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ locker room Sunday after the defending champs overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to notch their fourth consecutive win over the Golden State Warriors.
Nor was there talk of a Finals three-quel that would be the first in NBA history.
For the Cavs, the down-to-the-wire victory was nothing short of a Christmas Day miracle to the 20,562 fans in Quicken Loans Arena. But to them, was just another tally in the win column.
It was another step forward in the LeBron James-led journey that reached uncharted territory 189 days earlier when he helped put an end to Cleveland’s 52-year title drought.
“It’s Dec. 25,” said Kyrie Irving, who hit the game-winning shot. “We’ve got a ways before we even start considering the carryover or anything else like that. It’s just a Christmas Day game, another classic with a great team. It’s exciting. It’s just all respect when we go out there and play. Just high level players making high level plays.”
For fans and reporters, it was another must-see heavyweight bout. Another chapter in what’s quickly become the league’s fiercest rivalry.
It was a not-so-subtle reminder that anything is possible when these two teams play, and anything less than a third Warriors-Cavaliers…