For the fourth straight year, the Golden State Warriors have a 1-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. The Warriors trailed by as many as 11 in the second quarter against the Cavs, but in classic Warriors fashion, found a way to take the lead for good in the third quarter. It was great and close game, with the Cavs actually leading with under a minute to go.
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The Cavs led by two with about 36 seconds left, but a charge call against Kevin Durant was reversed to a block and Durant hit the two free throws. After LeBron hit a clutch bucket, Curry responded with an and-1 that gave the Warriors the lead. George Hill tied the game with a free throw with 4.7 seconds left, but JR Smith blew a chance to win the game after grabbing the offensive rebound and dribbling out the clock, thinking the Cavs had the lead.
In overtime, the Warriors simply ran away with it. Perhaps that's not a surprise given what Smith did to (likely) cost the Cavs a win.
Stephen Curry was incredible in the first half and finished with 29 points and 9 assists. Perhaps his biggest play was a buzzer-beating three-pointer that tied the game at the half. He did slow down in the second half a bit, but picked it back up in OT.
Klay Thompson had a scary moment early, as JR Smith slipped and took out Thompson's legs. But, Thompson would return and posted 24 points. Kevin Durant posted 26 points, 6 assists and 9 boards and was key for the Warriors on offense. Draymond Green chipped in 13 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.
LeBron James, as he's done all playoffs long, carried the Cavs. But, his NBA finals-best 51 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists weren't enough to beat the Warriors. The rest of the Cavs simply didn't step up. There's a chance LeBron ends up murdering JR Smith later tonight.
Kevin Love was sharp early, but cooled off and finished with 21 point and 14 boards. He was a brutal 1 for 7 from 3-point range. Against the Warriors, that's just not enough.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is Sunday at Oracle Arena. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET, but since the game is on ABC, it probably won't start for at least 10 minutes.
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