The Golden State Warriors, with nine three-pointers from Stephen Curry, defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-103 on Sunday at Oracle Arena in Oakland, taking a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Curry, with 9 of 17 from beyond the arc, broke Ray Allen's record for most three-pointers in a single Finals game and finished with 33 points to neutralize LeBron James' 29 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds. James came close to a triple-double after recording 51 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in the first game.
Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson added 26 and 20 points respectively.
Despite the effort from LeBron James, who became the only player in the last 25 years to score over 50 points in the Finals after Michael Jordan in 1993, the Cleveland Cavaliers couldn't secure a win at Oracle Arena, experiencing a second consecutive loss.
Cleveland had previously lost 114-124 in overtime with a historic last play when J.R. Smith captured an offensive rebound with the game tied in the final moments and instead of shooting, he retreated to half-court, running out the clock.
Following that mistake, the Cavs were dominated in overtime. On Sunday, all eyes were on the start of the game and the emotional state of the visitors and J.R. Smith himself.
Two initial dunks by center Javale McGee and a 15-6 start for the home team didn't bode well for the Cavaliers.
Without Andre Iguodala due to injury and with Thompson nursing a sprained left ankle from the first game, the Warriors had the opportunity to make a statement and travel to Cleveland with a two-game lead. And they took advantage of it.
Astonishing Accuracy
They did it because when Durant, Curry, and Klay shine, the opponent can only tremble.
Thus, the Warriors started with 10 of their first 11 field goals made, with 22 of their first 30 points in the paint, and with a 65.2% shooting accuracy in the first quarter.
Cleveland couldn't stop the home team's attack and was overwhelmed time and time again, although LeBron kept them in the game with 10 points, five decisive assists, and four rebounds.
Little by little, Curry expanded his shooting range, hitting several long-distance three-pointers that were only within his reach. Klay accompanied him, and Durant buried the rival's spirits with several mid-range baskets to go into halftime up by 13 (59-46).
The McGee Factor
The Warriors' offense lifted up the crowd with its team play, recording 18 assists on their 25 made field goals and shooting 59.5% from the field.
The best version of Golden State emerged once again. The version that has led the team from the Bay Area to win two of the last three championships and compete in the last four Finals against the Cavs. The version in which Curry makes spectators around the world smile.
Everyone expected a strong performance from the home team's All-Stars. No one could foresee that McGee would be a differential factor. The center, a secondary player throughout the season, left his mark by starting the game and being a nightmare with 12 points in just 17 minutes.
But the Cavs didn't give up. They started the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run, got within six points, and entered the final period with the hope of turning the game around.
However, that hope vanished quickly. It only took a few seconds. The time it took for Curry to bury them with his patented actions, including incredible three-pointers that most can only imagine, including a 3+1 play.
Now, the Cavaliers return home on Wednesday, where they must reverse the trend if they want to have any chance of prolonging the series. Otherwise, the merciless Warriors will be on the verge of winning the championship and will start comparing themselves to the best teams of all time. (D)