Cavaliers Take Down Fading Warriors With Ultra-Hot Second Half, Win Seventh Straight

The Cavaliers have officially stepped into their own, and on Monday night, they delivered a statement that echoed the days when Golden State was the NBA’s dominant force. Darius Garland, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

The Cavs crushed the host Warriors 113-95, improving to a league-best 28-4 while Golden State limps to 16-16, with just two wins in their last nine games.

Cleveland is 2-0 on its four-game swing through the West and has won seven straight overall — each by double-digits.

What started as a gritty, turnover-filled first half quickly morphed into a Cavs’ showcase after the intermission. They led only 48-36 at halftime.

But Cleveland flipped the script with a 12-0 run to open the third quarter, all of it coming from three-point range. By the time the Cavs were done, the lead had swelled to 20, and the game was effectively over.

This isn’t just another hot stretch for the Cavs; this team has another gear few can match. The Warriors saw it firsthand in November, when Cleveland poured in 83 points in the first half, stunning even the great Draymond Green with their ball movement and offensive execution.

On Monday, it was more of the same: relentless offense, suffocating defense, and an avalanche of three-pointers. Cleveland outscored Golden State 60-37 in the second half, shooting 52% from the field and 50% from deep.

Darius Garland led the way with a game-high 25 points, adding eight assists and three steals. Donovan Mitchell wasn’t far behind with 23 points, 15 of which came during that explosive third-quarter run.

Jarrett Allen fought through foul trouble to finish with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Dean Wade and Ty Jerome each scored 10. Even Evan Mobley, who had a rare off night with just seven points, had his moments. Wade also finished with a career-high 13 rebounds and was a plus-22.

Golden State? It couldn’t buy a bucket. Shooting just 33.3% from the floor and a miserable 23.7% from three, the Warriors were led by Moses Moody’s 19 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

The Warriors, who once built their empire on the third-quarter knockout, now find themselves on the receiving end of such punches.

The rivalry that once defined an entire era of the NBA now feels like ancient history. For the Warriors, the glory days are fading. For the Cavaliers, well, they’re just getting started.

Up next, the Cavs face LeBron James and the Lakers to close out the year. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. Tuesday.