Golden State Warriors Continue To Shine In Big Games

For the Golden State Warriors, flourishing in “big games” has become customary, as they continue their quest to repeat as NBA Champions.

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When you’re the reigning NBA champions you become accustomed to playing in high-profile games. Every visiting arena you enter is filled with a fanatic energy and feverish excitement. Many teams who aren’t accustomed to hostile environments tend to fold under the pressure. The Golden State Warriors though, aren’t most teams. Instead of crumbling under the pressure that comes with being the defending champs, they beat their chest and welcome all challengers.

To become the best in any arena, whether it’s a sports arena or the arena of life, an individual or team must be able to perform when the stakes are at their highest. When the spotlight is shining the brightest is when champions step up. And the Warriors have mastered the art of “stepping up” when it matters the most.

The Warriors entered Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers reeling after being humiliated by the Detroit Pistons their last game out. The 113-95 drubbing at the hands of Detroit was the Warriors’ most lopsided defeat in a long time and highlighted some inconsistencies in Golden State’s recent play.

Last year, the Warriors’ relied on a swarming and attacking defense to spark their explosive offensive. This season has produced some average at best defensive efforts, and the Pistons game was a continuation of that pattern.

So when the Warriors entered Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cavaliers in prime time, they knew their defensive intensity needed to be at a season high. This rematch of last year’s NBA Finals seemed to come at just the right time. A high stakes match up against a Cavaliers team they beat to win their first title in 40 years was the perfect remedy to get the Warriors out of their defensive slump.

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The Warriors couldn’t help but hear all the “what if’s” surrounding last year’s finals match up. What if Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love weren’t hurt and were able to play in the finals? That seemed to be the running theme, not only out of the Cavaliers locker room but throughout mainstream media.

This line of questioning has fueled the Warriors blazing start to this NBA season, so the opportunity to beat the Cavaliers in their home building, and put a muzzle on all of their naysayers gave the Warriors plenty of incentive to bring their A-game to Ohio.

Monday night’s game was over faster than the release of a Klay Thompson jump-shot. The Warriors came out suffocating the Cavaliers on defense and raining three’s on offense. Golden State headed into halftime leading 70-44. Turning a hostile and loud arena, into a stunned silent 20,000 seat library.

The 132-98 demolishing of the Cavaliers is relatively insignificant in the big picture. Although it was a great victory from the standpoint of silencing their critics, it was still only a regular season game and the Warriors have their eyes on a much bigger prize.

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The destruction of the Cavaliers may have lacked major significance, but the ability to perform at an elite level, under the most intense circumstances can not be undervalued. Performing under pressure is what the Warriors do better than any team in the NBA. When the lights are the brightest and the crowds are the loudest, the Warriors are at their best. All champions have demonstrated the ability to take their games to another level when faced with adversity — and the Warriors are definitely on another level.