Cavs Vs Warriors Is Both a Vital and Yet Unimportant Game

The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Golden State Warriors tonight at Quicken Loans Arena. Cavs Vs Warriors is a very exciting game, one that pits the two teams that many think could match-up in the NBA Finals. So much needs to be decided before we even get to the NBA Playoffs, much less the Finals.

But here we have a game tonight between the team with the best record in the NBA, the Warriors, and the team that has gone 17 – 2 since January 15th. The on the court match-ups are intriguing and enticing. Steph Curry versus Kyrie Irving. Klay Thompson versus J.R. Smith or LeBron James. Draymond Green versus James or Kevin Love. Defensive stalwarts Andrew Bogut versus Timofey Mozgov.

The Warriors run interesting players like Andrew Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David Lee and Marreese Speights off the bench while the Cavs counter with Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson and Kendrick Perkins. (Not having a healthy Shawn Marion really hurts that comparison.) Even Matthew Dellavedova knows his role, and plays it well, off the bench and sharp shooter James Jones has seen some extra time lately.

Live Feed

NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season /

Sir Charles In Charge

3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunionBlue Man Hoop

Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starterSir Charles In Charge

Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the OlympicsBlue Man Hoop

7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadlineBlue Man Hoop

NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24Sir Charles In Charge

The Warriors have run roughshod through a Western Conference that is tough as can be. Four teams in the West have less than 20 losses this season, only one in the East (Atlanta Hawks). Six teams in the West have a better winning percentage than the Cavaliers, who are tied for the 3rd best record in the East. Yet the Warriors sit there with only 10 losses on the season. Quite impressive.

Even more impressive when you think that they were missing Andrew Bogut for quite a few games, he has only started 38 of the 40 games he has played this year. Bogut is an anchor for the their team on defense and provides great passing out of the high and low post. The Warriors have very little behind Bogut but were still able to maintain without him.

The Cavs on the other hand struggled to find a rhythm with the way their team was constructed early in the season. It was only after bringing in Mozgov, Shumpert and Smith, along with the return to health/form of LeBron, that the Cavs started clicking on all cylinders. Have to wonder what the Cavs record could be if they were whole as is for the entire season. No matter, they are where we hoped and wanted them to be when this season started. Just a game and a half behind the Toronto Raptors for the 2nd seed in the East, highly unlikely they will catch the Hawks who are 9.5 up on them at this time.

That brings us to tonight’s game. A vital game in a lot of ways. The Cavs get a second crack at the best team in the league, a chance to prove themselves against the type of teams they would have to face in the NBA Finals, should they make it. The first game between the two teams the Warriors beat the Cavs 112-94, back on Janurary 9th. The Warriors took over late and the Cavs were not able to respond. The Cavs sat at 19-18 after that came and were a few days from getting LeBron back and were just getting to know Mozgov and Smith, Shumpert was still hurt.

Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Warriors get a chance to make a resounding statement against the powerhouse of the East, the team that many think could be the favorite going into the NBA Playoffs. The Warriors have played good, crisp, exciting basketball but now face a team with the firepower and depth to give them problems. They have something to prove after allowing the LeBron-less Cavs to stick around for most of the game out in California. A decisive win tonight, on the Cavs homecourt lets everyone know that no one can compete on their level.

On the other hand, this vital game means very little. Both teams have had a night off but have tough games tomorrow night as well. While both teams want to prove something, the results of this game will mean nothing if/when they meet in the NBA Finals. It will just be a game in February that one team happened to win, while the other team happened to lose.

A 7 Game Series is a different animal than a middle of the season game. While both teams will be able to learn and take something from the game, neither will be able to feel confidence about their ability to dominate the other in a series based on this game. The Warriors will have a hard enough time making it out of the West, where currently they would be matched up with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 1st round. The Cavs have a much smoother path to the Finals but still can’t take too much out of tonight’s game.

More from King James Gospel

So tonight is an exciting game that will likely reveal plenty of narratives for us to talk about. Should the Cavs sneak by with a win: “They are learning how to win the close ones.” Should the Cavs dominate: “No team wants to play them going forward.” On the other hand, if the Warriors pull off a tight victory: “They can win the big ones on the road.” A dominate performance by the visiting team: “The Warriors have no equal in the NBA.” and “LeBron was right that it will take time for the team to come together.”

Whatever narrative comes out of tonight’s fun game will be meaningless after a couple of days. The Warriors will go back to trying to protect their 4 game lead for homecourt advantage while the Cavs try to push to get the 2nd seed for homecourt for a couple rounds.

So while tonight’s game is vital in the moment and will likely be the talk of the sports world tomorrow, it will fade quickly as the NBA season marches on towards what looks like will be an exciting Western Conference Playoffs and hopefully an exciting NBA Finals including the new Big 3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Which do you think is more true tonight: Is the game Vital or Unimportant?

Next: Can Any Eastern Conference Foe Stop the Cavs Run to the Finals?