How Warriors prevailed with a win over Cavaliers

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How Warriors prevailed with a win over Cavaliers

  • Cleveland Cavaliers' Dwyane Wade (9) passes against Golden State Warriors' Shaun Livingston (34) and David West (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

    Cleveland Cavaliers' Dwyane Wade (9) passes against Golden State Warriors' Shaun Livingston (34) and David West (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

  • Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaiah Thomas, right, drives against Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

    Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaiah Thomas, right, drives against Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

  • Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, left, passes against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

    Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, left, passes against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

  • Cleveland Cavaliers' Jae Crowder, left, knocks the ball loose from Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

    Cleveland Cavaliers' Jae Crowder, left, knocks the ball loose from Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

  • Golden State Warriors' Kevon Looney, right, drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyle Korver in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

    Golden State Warriors' Kevon Looney, right, drives past Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyle Korver in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

  • Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala, left, fouls Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

    Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala, left, fouls Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

  • CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoot the ball against Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

    CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoot the ball against Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

  • CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for the dunk over LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

    CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for the dunk over LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

  • CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers makes a reverse layup during the game against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

    CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers makes a reverse layup during the game against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

  • CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

    CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 15: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

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By | mmedina@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:

CLEVELAND – In a series defined by its star power, the Warriors cemented a 118-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday for reasons beyond Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant or Klay Thompson.

The Warriors (36-9) secured their 13th consecutive road win because of a quality that lacked in recent weeks. Golden State won on its defense. After ranking 24th out of 30 NBA teams in defensive rating (109.1) since the Warriors’ last victory over Cleveland on Christmas Day, the Warriors suddenly tightened the screws against a team they might see for the fourth consecutive season in the NBA Finals.

Yes, Cavaliers forward LeBron James (30) still treated the game like a layup line. Yes, Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas looked more comfortable in his fifth game since nursing a hip injury, adding 19 points and four assists.

But in a game that initially went nip and tuck, the Warriors opened the fourth quarter holding Cleveland to a 2-of-16 clip. In related news, the Warriors pulled away with a 103-95 cushion with 6:16 left in the game.

Meanwhile, Durant (32 points), Curry (23 points) and Thompson (11) provided the offensive depth that can absorb James’ greatness. Though Warriors forward Draymond Green had 11 points on only 5-of-14 shooting, he posted a season-high 16 rebounds and nine assists.

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