In the long and rich history of “Christmas Day”, there are performances that we do not forget. Matches that remain engraved in the memories and in the legend.
Some will prefer to remember the 59 points and 36 rebounds of Wilt Chamberlain in 1961 (however marred by a defeat). Others will prefer to remember Bernard King’s 60 points in 1984, which is still a Christmas record (but again tarnished by a defeat).
More recently, we could also think of the reunion between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2004, the remake of the 2008 Finals between Los Angeles and Boston, LeBron James’ triple-double against the defending champions of the Lakers in 2010, or even to Derrick Rose’s “game winner” at the (late) Staples Center in 2011, at the start of this “post-lockout” season.
Without forgetting, of course, this famous clash of December 25, 2016 between the Cavaliers and the Warriors. For, here too, a remake of the 2016 Finals. And that evening, it was a certain Kyrie Irving who would stand out, once again playing the executioners of Stephen Curry’s teammates.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant at the top of their game
Meanwhile, Golden State had yet recorded the summer reinforcement of Kevin Durant. So we said to ourselves that it was the perfect time for Steve Kerr’s men to take revenge on Cleveland, at the very beginning of the afternoon in the United States (2:30 p.m.) and in “prime time” in France (8:30 p.m.). On the occasion of this clash at the top between the best team in the West (27-4) and the best team in the East (22-6).
The least we can say is that this poster has kept all its promises. And in front of their audience at the Quicken Loans Arena (now called Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse), it was the Cavaliers who managed to win, at the end of the suspense, against the Warriors (109-108).
In an electric atmosphere, worthy of the Finals, and after a crazy finish!
Evidenced by this “game winner” of Kyrie Irving, three seconds from the end, main referee of the superb duel between LeBron James (31 points, 13 rebounds) and Kevin Durant (36 points, 15 rebounds) with his 25 points, 6 rebounds , 10 assists and 7 interceptions! While Stephen Curry, despite his important 3-pointers 1 minute 15 from the end, had a bad day (15 points, 4/11 on shots and 2/7 from behind the arc) because of DeAndre’s defensive work Liggins.
Apart from this victory basket planted by an aerial “Uncle Drew”, and decidedly at ease when it comes to assassinating Golden State, the other image of the game is obviously this huge “poster dunk” by Richard Jefferson (36) on Klay Thompson, also in the foreground on Kyrie Irving’s final shot!
In short, thanks to Cleveland and Golden State, the spectators of the “Q” clearly got their money’s worth and, five years later, we still enjoy the highlights of this match, considered (rightly) as one most beautiful in the history of “Christmas Day”.
