Warriors prevail on a strange night at Oracle

There’s a general feeling among NBA fans and media that this season carries a certain inevitability, bound to climax with another Golden State championship. That may be true, but there’s nothing tedious about the Warriors’ quest — particularly when they play at home.

Teams once invaded Oracle Arena resigned to defeat, knowing they’d be crushed by a devastating run — so often in the third quarter — and some ridiculous outside shooting. Those days are gone.

You know that when the Los Angeles Lakers, either missing LeBron James or watching him head to the locker room, nearly win two straight in Oakland.

James’ Christmas-night groin injury, the one that sidelined him for more than a month, didn’t stop L.A. from winning that game.