Cleveland Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro (35) tries to dribble past the Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (3) at Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland on Thu Nov 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

Fourth Quarter Onslaught Wins One For the Warriors 104-89

By Barbara Mason

After a convincing win against the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday night, the Warriors (13-2 ) continued their road trip in Cleveland taking on the (9-8) Cavaliers and their winning ways with their second win on this current road trip 104-89.

This game could not have been any closer with the Cavaliers totally dominating on the glass. The Cavs led after one quarter 29-27. At the half Cleveland still held the lead albeit a slim one, but a lead nonetheless 54-51.

The Warriors came out sluggish in the first quarter and the Cavaliers outshot them from downtown. It is true that Cleveland is playing much better basketball but the rebounding by Golden State was not very good.

After two quarters Stephen Curry was 4-7 on three pointers and had 15 points while off the bench Nemanja Bjelica had 16 points. It was Bjelica to the rescue because for the most part it was Curry alone who was scoring for the starters. Darius Garland had the high score for Cleveland with 18 points.

Despite being known for being a fast break team, the Warriors only had five. They would have to do a better job rebounding in the second half as well as making better choices in their shot making.

Many times after an outstanding win teams come out sluggish in their next game. Mid-way through the third quarter the Cavs were completely boxing the Warriors out and the Warriors were not defending the rim.

Golden State found themselves trailing with under four minutes left in the quarter 74-65. Second chance points were 19-2 in favor of Cleveland. After three quarters the Cavs had extended their lead 81-68.

In the fourth quarter Curry found his three and the Curry Flurry was heating up with a lot of ground to make up. Golden State tied the game at 81 with Andrew Wiggins coming alive. It was a 15-0 run for the Warriors in the fourth quarter. The Warriors were making the Cavs work hard offensively. Golden State had finally taken the lead 90-86 with just over six minutes left in the game.

From down thirteen to up thirteen the Warriors had flipped the fourth quarter with 1:24 left in the game. Golden State was going to win an improbable game. It was ugly for three quarters and amazing in the fourth.

Cleveland had no answers to the Warrior onslaught. Golden State did absolutely everything right in the final quarter when it really mattered. The final was 104-89 in a game where the Warriors were completely outplayed in three quarters.

Curry finished with 40, and Bjelica with 14 points off the bench. The Cavaliers did everything possible to win this game through three quarters. They fell apart in the fourth quarter letting the Warriors walk away with the win.

Tomorrow afternoon the Warriors will be taking on the Detroit Pistons. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM PST.