Starting 5: Warriors, Cavs renew rivalry

Few rivalries in NBA history are as iconic as the battles between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, who met in four straight Finals from 2015-18. Now, as the 2024-25 season heats up, both teams are proving their dominance once again, positioned near the top of the standings nearly three weeks into the season.
The Cavaliers (9-0) are the league’s only unbeaten team, off to their best start in franchise history, while the Warriors (7-1) are riding a five-game win streak with a flawless road record. When the two powerhouses face off in Cleveland Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass, it promises to be a high-stakes showdown of offense versus defense.
The Cavaliers have stormed into the season with a powerful offensive lineup that averages a league-high 123.2 points per game. Their potent start includes scoring 130+ points in four of their nine games, a feat they achieved only four times last season and one shy of the single-season franchise record. Donovan Mitchell leads the charge averaging 23.8 points per game, with Darius Garland right behind at 19.8 and shooting an impressive 46.9% from beyond the arc.
One of the most striking aspects of Cleveland’s play is their efficiency: they’re shooting 52.6% from the field, with all six of their leading scorers posting field-goal percentages above 48.0%. In NBA history, only six teams have shot above 52% for an entire season.

The Warriors, however, pose a threat to Cleveland’s shooting hot streak. Golden State ranks second in the league in defensive efficiency, allowing just 105.3 points per game, and has held all but one opponent to under 50% shooting. Stephen Curry leads Golden State with 21.2 points per game, but it’s the team’s collective defensive effort that has brought success. Their balanced two-way game has been a winning formula.
The long-range shooting of Curry and Mitchell will be on full display, as will the role of their respective second-leading scorers: Buddy Hield for Golden State and Garland for Cleveland. Both players are currently shooting at career-highs from three-point range, making them pivotal X-factors in this matchup.
In addition to the Warriors-Cavaliers clash, NBA fans will have ten other matchups to enjoy on League Pass. Among the highlights is a Finals rematch between the Nuggets and Heat (9 p.m. ET), and a showdown between OKC and Houston (8 p.m. ET) as the Thunder look to bounce back after their first loss.