Don’t let the Warriors’ 35-point win over the Cavaliers distract you ... never mind

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

BOOM: The Warriors decided that their rematch against the Cavaliers would not be close; Golden State won by 35, and it wasn’t even that close. Cleveland is wrapping up a long road trip filled with obvious ennui, and the Warriors didn’t really want to go into a Finals series against the Cavs having lost five straight matchups. This was so necessary.

Steph Curry was flawless in the first half. Mike Prada had written a great piece about how the Cavs shut down Curry in recent battles; the Warriors made adjustments to get The Chef free. We’ll see how Cleveland reacts to that.

The best highlight from the game? Draymond Green fouled LeBron in the open court, but King James may have exaggerated the contact. So on his way to the bench, Green mocks LeBron’s flopping. Gold.

Here are all of the rest of the highlights from the game. If these teams meet again, it’ll be in June.

SCORES GALORE ...

Hawks 108, Knicks 107
Blazers 101, Wizards 120
Sixers 113, Bucks 104
Pelicans 95, Pacers 98
Magic 112, Nuggets 125
Hornets 98, Celtics 108
Cavaliers 91, Warriors 126
Jazz 106, Suns 101
Thunder 98, Clippers 120

ONE MORE DRAYMOND NOTE: Loved his “Sideline Racism” sneakers.

MEANWHILE, IN KNICKLAND ... Courtney Lee got benched for Ron Baker. He responded by posting Dumb & Dumber images to Instagram.

NASTY: John Wall’s handle doesn’t get nearly enough credit.

OH: Rajon Rondo says he thought he’d be allowed to “run the show” when signing with Chicago.

THE MIKE BROWN SWEEPSTAKES: How Warriors assistant Mike Brown’s familiarity with LeBron and the Cavaliers helps.

WAY OF WALTON: Flinder Boyd on how Luke Walton was shaped into the coach he has become.

NEVER FORGET EARL LLOYD: Marc Spears on how Earl Lloyd’s son works to keep the legacy of his father, the NBA’s first black player, alive.

HALLELUJAH: I missed this over the weekend, but the Hawks always do Martin Luther King Day celebrations in their gym the right way.

LIFER: Lionel Hollins on life without coaching.

STEVE KERR ON THE NEED FOR EMPATHY.

NEXT UP: NBA TV has Rockets-Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET and Nuggets-Lakers at 10:30. It is not a compelling night of basketball to be honest, though the Raptors might finally put up 150 in a game since they have the Nets. (Sorry, Brooklyn.)

Be excellent to each other.