OAKLAND – No Draymond, no defense. And the Warriors were no better on offense.
Playing without suspended defensive ace Draymond Green, the Warriors were unable to slow the Cavaliers and took a 112-97 loss Monday night at Oracle Arena in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
The Warriors own a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, which goes back to Cleveland for Game 6 on Thursday.
Klay Thompson poured in 37 points to lead the Warriors in scoring, Steph Curry tossed in 25 and Andre Iguodala totaled 15. The Warriors never found consistent offense, shooting only 36.4 percent from the field and committing 17 turnovers.
They were even less effective on defense. Cleveland shot 53 percent from the field – 61.1 percent in the third quarter – with Kyrie Irving torching every defender in sight to finish with a game-high-tying 41 points on 17-of-24 shooting. LeBron James also dropped in 41 as the Cavs staved off elimination.
Warriors center Andrew Bogut left the game early in the third quarter after sustained a sprained left knee. He did not return.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
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Though he couldn’t do much to stop Irving, Thompson carried the offensive weight like a champ. And while Iguodala played his usual hyperactive defense, he also delivered offense not unlike that which might have been submitted by Green.
Thompson’s line: 37 points (11-of-20 shooting from the field, including 6-of-11 beyond the 3-point stripe) and three rebounds. He played 41 minutes and was minus-21 for the game – largely due to Irving’s blistering shooting.
Iguodala’s line: 15 points (6-of-13, 1-of-4), 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals. He played 41 minutes and finished minus-13.
TURNING POINT:
The teams were locked in a 61-61 tie at the half before the Cavs came out and opened the third quarter with a 13-5 run, taking a 74-66 lead on a 3-pointer by Irving with 7:45 remaining in the quarter.
The Warriors spent the remainder of the game trailing, getting no closer than three, before the Cavs pulled away in the fourth quarter.
INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: Bogut sustained a left knee injury with 10:29 left in the third quarter and 22 seconds later was assisted off the floor and into the locker room. F Kevon Looney (L hip surgery) and G Ian Clark (healthy) were placed on the inactive list. Green was, by league rule, on the active list but unavailable.
Cavaliers: No injuries were reported. C Sasha Kaun and G Jordan McRae were placed on the inactive list.
WHAT’S NEXT:
Game 6 is set for Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
