The Golden State Warriors took a one game lead in the NBA Finals last night by overwhelming the Cleveland Cavaliers 113 to 91. It’s the third year in a row the Cavaliers have lost the first game of the best-of-seven Finals.
Both of Cleveland’s leading scorers Kyrie Irving and LeBron James talked about Game 1 almost as if it didn’t count, saying it was good to get it out of the way. Kyrie Irving did not sound the least bit alarmed about losing the first game to the heavily favored Warriors.
“No matter how greatly prepared you are, you know going against them and being in a game is totally different. So I'm glad that we got Game 1 out of the way. And to have this type of game and have an effort that we put forward, it's definitely some things that are correctable.”
Likewise, coach Tyronn Lue considered it a learning experience.
“You can't really simulate that in practices. You got to really get out here and get a chance to do it firsthand. When we experience that, we're able to adjust, we're a lot better.
Lue had preached beforehand that his team must not commit turnovers but that’s exactly what they did. 20 times they threw the ball out of bounds or had it slip out of their hands. And the Warriors took advantage.
LeBron James had praise for Golden State's Kevin Durant who scored 38 points but he thought the Cavs made it easy.
We was victims of ourself, for one. Like I said, we had 20 turnovers, and there's no way you're going to win a ball game having 20 turnovers against this team and on the road.”
Those turnovers allowed Golden State to put up 20 more shots than Cleveland.
LeBron James said afterwards their focus on the 3-point shooters allowed some easy baskets from players like Kevin Durant.
“First of all, we got to stop the ball in transition. There was a few times where we fanned out to the 3-point line and let guys just go right down the middle for a dunk. And I know, I believe, K.D. had two or three of those. So when you turn the ball over, you got to know That's when they become very dangerous.”
Last night James had 28 points and became the first player to score 6 thousand playoff points in a career. Kevin Love set a team record for 21 rebounds in a playoff game.
Only 2 Warriors –Durant and Steph Curry- scored in double figures. But it was enough. The two teams play again in Oakland on Sunday night.