OAKLAND — Two MVPs is better than one.
If the Cavs figured the Warriors out in last year’s Finals, they had no answer for the new look version on Thursday night. Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Golden State Warriors blasted Cleveland in Game 1 of the NBA Finals (), and showed everyone why they were touted as heavy favorites heading into this series.
Durant was magnificent on both ends in his first Finals appearance since 2012, finishing with 38 points. Curry looked to erase any memory of his struggles in last year’s Finals, hitting six 3’s, and leading the Dubs in a game-deciding third quarter.
The Warriors defense was suffocating in it’s own right, forcing 20 Cavs turnovers compared to Golden State’s impressive four and limiting Cleveland to 35-percent shooting.
The first quarter began similar to the way this series ended last year, with each team trading misses on good looks, combining to start 3-of-15 from the field. The shooting woes didn’t last long for the Warriors, who finished the quarter shooting 50 percent to the Cavs 40, but a 10 to two free throw disparity kept Cleveland within striking distance.
Durant and James were especially excellent from the outset. KD became one of only three players to score 10 points and have five assists with no turnovers in a quarter in the playoffs in the last 15 years. James meanwhile led the Cavs with 13 points.
The play of the quarter involved both, when a KD pump fake sent James sliding across the floor, before he cocked back for one of three monster jams in the first frame.
⛸⛸⛸ pic.twitter.com/6AMHtB4JjX
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 2, 2017
Andre Iguodala capped things off with a buzzer beating three to give the Warriors a 35-30 lead by quarter’s end.
Safe to say Q1 did not disappoint pic.twitter.com/qLZVR3m4b9
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 2, 2017
The second quarter didn’t go as smoothly for LeBron, whose six turnovers in the frame equalled his points. Turnovers were the story of the half, with the Warriors committing just one to the Cavs’ 12. Durant on the other hand continued to be a monster, throwing down four more dunks, en route to a 23 point first half on 10-of-18 shooting. The Cavs transition defense had no answer.
Interesting defensive strategy by Kyrie Irving here. pic.twitter.com/l3YAvcvLw9
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 2, 2017
The performance was enough to keep the rest of the struggling Warriors afloat, despite shooting a paltry 42 percent (including six missed layups) as a team in the first half, heading into the break with a 60-52 lead.
As they so often do, the Warriors put the game away in the third quarter, beginning the half on a 13-0 run, busting out to an 18 point lead in just four minutes. Golden State kept their foot on the pedal, led by a scorching hot Curry, who went 4-of-5 from 3.
This play was brought to you by both of Golden State’s MVPs pic.twitter.com/YbD2DS3tKs
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 2, 2017
The Cavs had no answer, getting shellacked 33-20 in the quarter, ending things after 36 minutes.
Game 2 is on Sunday at 5:00 PM at Oracle Arena.
