NEW YORK — Not since the Kobe-Shaq breakup have two rivals spent so many Christmases together.
Golden State and Cleveland are playing the holiday's heaviest-hyped matchup for the third straight season. The same teams hadn't met that many times on Christmas since the Lakers and Miami squared off from 2004-06.
This time the Warriors, as the NBA champions, are home for the holiday after having to travel to LeBron James' house last season.
"It's great. It's no fun playing on the road on Christmas," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "It's great playing at home. I always enjoy Christmas Day home games.