Four days of rest for the most dominant team in basketball meant bad things were in store for the unfortunate squad who drew the Golden State Warriors in their first game back on the hardwood.
On Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, it was the Utah Jazz who had the daunting task of trying to defeat the refreshed defending NBA champions in a building where they're seemingly unbeatable.
With "Splash Brother" Klay Thompson leading the way with 20 points and three makes from deep, the Warriors handled the Jazz in convincing fashion with a 103-85 victory.
27-1! #DubNation pic.twitter.com/2tu4sKBcrQ
— Golden St. Warriors (@warriors) December 24, 2015
The win extended the Warriors' winning streak on their home floor to 31 games dating back to last season. At .964, Golden State also owns the strongest winning percentage in league history entering Christmas Day.
While the Warriors did play lights-out basketball against Utah, it was the collective efforts on the team's defensive end which had the biggest impact. The Jazz shot just 41.3 percent from the field on the night, turning the ball over on 19 occasions.
It was also the fourth time this season that the Warriors held an opponent to 85 points or less.
Reigning MVP Stephen Curry contributed 16 points and nine assists in 34 minutes, while Draymond Green flirted with a triple-double of 15 points, nine rebounds, and six helpers.
Related: Curry leaves Favors dazed and confused
Golden State also got a big night from 7-foot Aussie Andrew Bogut (10 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists), who had some fun mocking Jazz swingman Gordon Hayword after he seemingly oversold contact to draw a foul.
Related: Bogut mocks Hayward's reaction to getting smacked in face
The team will now turn its attention to Christmas Day in a highly-anticipated NBA Finals rematch against LeBron James and the fully healthy Cleveland Cavaliers.
