The Cavaliers and Warriors were both short-handed and still put on a show

The Cavaliers and Warriors went toe-to-toe in an NBA Finals rematch on Christmas Day, and without Stephen Curry, Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose, the game could have been a complete dud.

But as Golden State and Cleveland stayed within arms length of each other down the stretch, the basketball world was reminded why this NBA matchup will be a rivalry for the books. The Warriors eventually emerged victorious, 99-92, but Monday’s results aren’t necessary an indicator of what could be if these two teams meet in the Finals once again. It’s just proof that these two teams still have a way to go before reaching the level they need to be in order to get back to the Finals:

The Cavs and Warriors need their point guards

The Warriors may still be winning games without Stephen Curry, who is out recovering from a sprained ankle, but they would much rather have a two-time MVP and the world’s best shooter on the floor. The same could be said for the Cavaliers, who started Jose Calderon at the point guard spot because both Isaiah Thomas (hip) and Derrick Rose (ankle) were out with injuries.

The Cavaliers only shot 32 percent as a team, and were only a few calls gone wrong from sticking it to the Warriors on Christmas Day. The Warriors — a team that lives and dies by the triple — made just 10 of 37 three-point attempts on the night.

These are championship basketball teams that always find a way to get it done, but it’s safe to say both can breathe a sigh of relief when their floor generals get back in action.

Still, the league’s best two teams put on a show.

One one side, Kevin Durant solidified himself as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He may have had 25 points and five rebounds, but Durant’s five blocks were the most dominant part to his game on Christmas. KD had two rejections in the final 6:30 of the fourth quarter: one on Tristan Thompson and a questionable block on LeBron in a pivotal late-game possession.

Durant is averaging a career-best 2.2 blocks per game, and his defense goes beyond the stat sheet. The Finals MVP can guard most positions on the floor and fits seamlessly into the Warriors’ switching defense.

On the other end, Kevin Love is enjoying another amazing season in Cleveland.

Tyronn Lue took Love off the floor in an offense-for-defense substitution during a pivotal Warriors possession late in the game. And even though the Cavaliers got a stop on the play, Golden State was able to get two offensive rebounds on the same play because Cleveland took out its best rebounder.

Love finished with a game-high 31 points and 18 rebounds, adding another impressive game onto what is slowly becoming his best season since joining the Cavs a few years ago.

The Cavs and Warriors are the favorites to return to the NBA Finals for the fourth season in a row, and Christmas Day was a reminder that the world is looking forward to this showdown. And once Curry returns for Golden State, and Thomas and Rose return for Cleveland, this matchup might be one that goes seven games for the championship in June.

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