The Cavaliers were facing a tall order against the Golden State Warriors — too tall as it turned out. Minus two big men, and with an ailing Kyrie Irving and C.J. Miles, the Cavs came up short in a 106-96 loss Wednesday night at Oracle Arena.
In spite of suffering from a bout of good poisoning on Wednesday morning, Kyrie Irving had a typical performance with 28 points, often drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd, but he just didn’t have enough help as the Cavs slipped to 2-3 overall this season, 1-2 on this six-game trip that will continue on Friday at Phoenix.
“Worst thing I’ve ever done,” Irving said. “I’ve never really played under the weather like that. It was tough. I just tried to be out there for my teammates and still compete. Obviously, I was sluggish in the first quarter. I started to pick it up once I got warm but it just wasn’t enough tonight.”
David Lee, who actually missed the Warriors shootaround with flu-like symptoms, had 18 points and 14 rebounds and Stephen Curry added 21 points for the Warriors, 3-2. Golden State shot 53.8 percent and outrebounded Cleveland, 44-39.
No wonder. The Cavs suffered two losses before tipoff. Starting center Anderson Varejao sat out the game with a bruised right knee, and rookie backup center Tyler Zeller returned to Cleveland so doctors could check his broken left cheekbone and concussion. Rookie Dion Waiters was limping after the game and said he hurt his thigh in the third quarter, although he played all of the fourth quarter.
The loss of the two changed the complexion of the game for the team, which was coming off a big 108-101 win at the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
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