Three weeks ago the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors squared off on Christmas day in a rematch of the NBA finals.
The Warriors, as they did in the championship, found a way to beat the Cavs in a grind-it-out type of game.
The result: More proof that the Cavs, when fully healthy, are perfectly positioned to end any hopes Golden State has of going back-to-back.
Despite falling 89-83 in the last meeting, there were many positives signs from the Cavs point of view that could bode very well in the future.
Kyrie Irving, who has recently started to look like his amazingly-dynamic self, was just one week into beginning his season after months of grueling rehab on his broken kneecap.
Even Iman Shumpert, the Cavs shut-down wing defender, was in the process of getting back into game action after missing two months with a wrist injury.
Since that Christmas day game the two have become different players, something that has changed the entire outlook of the team.
Following a December 26th loss to Portland, the Cavs went on an eight game winning streak.
They’ve won 9-of-10 overall, sport a 28-10 record and have built their Eastern Conference lead to 4.5 games over second place Toronto.
Making their recent surge even more impressive is the fact that eight of those games were on the road.
That includes their longest road trip of the season, where they went on the road for six games and 12 days. The result of that road trip was a 5-1 record with wins over the like of the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
Now back home, fully healthy and hitting stride, the Cavs prepare for their biggest test of the season.
The Christmas day game was fun, but this game will be a true measuring stick.
The Warriors are also back to full strength as starting small forward Harrison Barnes is now back in the lineup and healthy, they come in with a 37-4 record but have just a 1.5 game lead over the surging San Antonio Spurs.
Coming off a 18 point loss to Detroit, Golden State will be looking to make a statement of their own tonight.
After a few snide remarks from Warrior players in the past few days, the Cavs will be focused and ready to make a statement of their own.
Prediction: Cavs 101 Warriors 96
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