The Golden State Warriors (11-12) face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-10) in a marquee inter-conference battle that evokes memories of their epic Finals clashes from the 2010s, though both squads are navigating mid-season turbulence. The Warriors, slipping to 10th in the Western Conference after back-to-back losses, desperately need a road win to halt their slide and get back above .500—especially on the second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland, holding the 8th spot in the East despite a rough 1-4 stretch in their last five, boasts home-court advantage at the revamped Rocket Arena but is hamstrung by a laundry list of injuries to key contributors. With Golden State’s perimeter shooting potentially exploiting Cleveland’s depleted frontcourt, and the Cavs leaning on Donovan Mitchell’s heroics, this could be a high-octane shootout or a gritty defensive grind if Draymond Green suits up. The Splash Brothers era meets the Wine & Gold’s young core in what promises to be a playoff atmosphere early in the season.
Game Information
Tipoff: 7:30 PM ET (4:30 PM PT)
Venue: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio (Capacity: 19,432; Home of the Cleveland Cavaliers since 1994, located at 1 Center Court in downtown Cleveland; undergoing fan-friendly upgrades including enhanced transportation access)
Broadcast: NBA TV (national), Bally Sports Ohio (Cavaliers), NBC Sports Bay Area (Warriors); Streaming on NBA League Pass; Radio on WTAM 1100 AM for Cavs fans
Officials: To be announced (NBA typically reveals assignments 24 hours prior)
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Home/Away Split | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Golden State Warriors | 11-12 (.478) | 7-8 West | 6-5 Home / 5-7 Away | 9-13-1 | 10-13 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 13-10 (.565) | 8-6 East | 7-4 Home / 6-6 Away | 11-11-1 | 12-11 |
Golden State ranks 15th in offensive rating but 22nd defensively, while Cleveland sits 6th in scoring (118.2 PPG) yet 18th in points allowed (112.4 PPG).
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are reeling from recent defeats, with Cleveland’s home prowess clashing against Golden State’s road resilience (4-7 ATS away). The Warriors’ fast pace (3rd in NBA at 102.1 possessions) could test the Cavs’ transition defense.
Golden State Warriors (2-3 in last 5 games):
Dec 4: L 98-99 @ Philadelphia 76ers (heartbreaking buzzer-beater; Curry 28 points but 15 turnovers as a team)
Dec 2: L 112-124 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (outgunned from deep; 34.8% 3PT, Green ejected late)
Nov 30: W 125-120 @ Portland Trail Blazers (Curry’s 46 points in comeback; dominated boards 48-40)
Nov 28: L 102-126 vs. Denver Nuggets (defensive collapse; allowed 52% FG)
Nov 26: W 114-83 vs. Chicago Bulls (blowout; Podziemski’s triple-double off bench)
The Warriors average 115.6 PPG (8th) but have coughed up 118.2 PPG in losses, with turnovers (14.8 per game, 25th) plaguing them on the road.
Cleveland Cavaliers (1-4 in last 5 games):
Dec 3: L 110-122 vs. Portland Trail Blazers (upset at home; Mitchell 33 points but 17 turnovers)
Dec 1: W 135-119 @ Indiana Pacers (Mitchell’s 43 points; 51% FG in road rout)
Nov 30: L 115-117 vs. Boston Celtics (clutch loss; Mobley 27 points/14 rebounds in defeat)
Nov 28: L 123-130 @ Atlanta Hawks (hot shooting but edged; 43.6% 3PT)
Nov 24: L 99-110 @ Toronto Raptors (off night; 41.4% FG, poor rebounding)
Cleveland’s offense hums at home (120.1 PPG) but they’ve dropped three straight at Rocket Arena, allowing 124.3 PPG in losses.
Injury Report
Injuries are a major storyline, particularly for Cleveland, where the frontcourt is decimated—potentially forcing small-ball lineups. Golden State has question marks around its veteran core ahead of the back-to-back. Latest updates as of December 5 evening (check shootaround for changes):
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Est. Return |
| Warriors | Draymond Green | PF | QUESTIONABLE | Right foot sprain | Dec 6 (GTD) |
| Warriors | Seth Curry | SG | QUESTIONABLE | Right toe soreness | Dec 6 |
| Warriors | Jimmy Butler III | SF | QUESTIONABLE | Left knee management | Dec 6 |
| Warriors | De’Anthony Melton | SG | QUESTIONABLE | Right knee injury management | Dec 6 |
| Warriors | Buddy Hield | SG | OUT | Left ankle sprain | Dec 8 |
| Warriors | Kevon Looney | C | OUT | G League assignment | N/A |
| Cavaliers | Jarrett Allen | C | OUT | Right third finger strain | Dec 12 |
| Cavaliers | Darius Garland | PG | OUT | Left great toe injury management | Dec 12 |
| Cavaliers | Sam Merrill | SG | OUT | Right hand sprain | Dec 6 |
| Cavaliers | Larry Nance Jr. | PF | OUT | Right calf strain | Dec 10 |
| Cavaliers | Max Strus | SF | OUT | Left foot Jones fracture (post-surgery) | January 2026 |
| Cavaliers | Tyrese Proctor | PG | OUT | Personal reasons | Dec 7 |
| Cavaliers | Evan Mobley | PF | QUESTIONABLE | Left ankle soreness | Dec 6 (GTD) |
Without Garland (18.5 PPG, 6.8 APG) and Allen (12.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG), Cleveland’s playmaking and rim protection suffer—Mobley’s availability is crucial. For Golden State, Green’s defensive anchor role (if he plays) could disrupt Mitchell.
Key Player Matchups
Injuries shift dynamics, but the guard battles remain electric. Golden State’s motion offense (top-5 in assists) vs. Cleveland’s switch-heavy scheme (when healthy) sets the tone.
Stephen Curry (Warriors PG, 26.4 PPG) vs. Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers SG, 28.3 PPG): The Finals foes renew rivalry—Curry’s off-ball movement (42% 3PT) tests Mitchell’s on-ball pressure (1.7 SPG). Mitchell’s scored 30+ in 6 of last 8; Curry’s usage spikes sans Green.
Draymond Green (Warriors PF, QUES., 9.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG) vs. Evan Mobley (Cavaliers PF, QUES., 15.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG): If both play, it’s a chess match—Green’s passing (6.2 APG) vs. Mobley’s length (2.1 BPG). Without Allen, Mobley guards Curry’s drives; Green’s absence exposes Warriors inside.
Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors SF, 16.1 PPG) vs. Dean Wade (Cavaliers SF, 8.4 PPG): Kuminga’s athleticism (1.3 BPG) exploits Strus’ absence; Wade’s 3-and-D (36% 3PT) could sag off and contest.
Brandin Podziemski (Warriors SG, 11.2 PPG, 5.4 APG) vs. Craig Porter Jr. (Cavaliers PG): Podziemski’s versatility off bench vs. Porter’s energy—Warriors’ bench ranks 4th in scoring.
Bench: Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro for perimeter D vs. Warriors’ Moses Moody.
Series History
This storied rivalry—fueled by four straight Finals from 2015-18 (Warriors 3-1)—tilts toward Golden State all-time, but Cleveland has flipped the script recently, winning 4 of the last 6 regular-season tilts (average total: 225.8 points). Over 124 regular-season meetings:
All-Time Record: Warriors 68-56
At Rocket Arena: Cavaliers 32-28
Last 10 Meetings: Cavaliers 6-4
Recent Results:
Dec 30, 2024: Cavaliers 113-95 @ Warriors (Mitchell 32 points in blowout)
Nov 8, 2024: Cavaliers 136-117 vs. Warriors (team-record 20 threes)
Nov 11, 2023: Cavaliers 118-110 @ Warriors
Nov 5, 2023: Cavaliers 115-104 vs. Warriors
Jan 20, 2023: Warriors 120-114 @ Cavaliers
Nov 11, 2022: Warriors 106-101 @ Cavaliers
Warriors are 5-5 ATS in last 10 but 7-3 O/U; Cleveland’s covered in 6 of last 8 home vs. West teams.
Betting Trends
Cavaliers 4-1 SU in last 5 home vs. West contenders.
Warriors 2-8 ATS in last 10 as road dogs; 1-4 ATS last 5 overall.
Over hit in 6 of Cavs’ last 8 home games (avg. 230.4 points); line moved from 226.5 to 227.5 on sharp Over money.
Handle: 68% on Cavs ML, 52% on Over.
Game Odds
Golden State Warriors 228.5
Cleveland Cavaliers – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
