The close nature of Game 1 was around for a few quarters, but no overtime was necessary this time around. The Warriors used a huge fourth quarter and got nine threes from Stephen Curry to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-103 and take a 2-0 series lead in the 2018 NBA Finals.
The infamous star of Game 1, J.R. Smith, got a mocking standing ovation from Warriors fans before the game. He even got chants of “MVP” when he went to the free thrown line.
JR Smith got MVP chants at the free throw line ??? pic.twitter.com/wRJXNAvsWA
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
Golden State got off to a red-hot start shooting 65% in the first quarter. Cleveland responded nicely though and kept within striking distance. JaVale McGee, who had a nice spurt of energy in the third quarter of Game 1, got the start over Kevon Looney. He immediately paid dividends on the offensive end and hit all four of his shots in the half.
The Warriors started to create some space in the second-quarter and flex their muscles. They stretched the lead by as many as 15 right after the Cavaliers fought to within seven points. For everything McGee provided off the bench, Shaun Livingston was just as effective too. Stephen Curry (33 points, 11-26 shooting with 9-17 from three-point) caught some fire at the end of the half and hit a crazy three-pointer to give Golden State the largest lead of the night. The Dubs went into halftime up 59-46.
The Stephen Curry triple gives the #Warriors their largest pk-callout of the game (so far)???!
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/3an9rt1qC3
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
Cleveland came out of the half much better offensively, highlighted by some big threes from George Hill and Kevin Love. Hill had great night with 15 points, 5-12 shooting) and looked aggressive all night. Kevin Love struggled in the first half (2-10 shooting) but provided a terrific quarter that included three three-pointers. Love finished with 22 points and ten rebounds. LeBron James (29 points, nine rebounds, 13 assists) once again played his heart out and lead the Cavs, but it was not enough. For every big shot the Cavs hit, Golden State responded and ended up still leading after the third quarter 90-80.
LeBron James goes up top to Tristan Thompson for the slam pic.twitter.com/HlbZSeMgVa
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
A three from David West? Yeah, that happened too.
DAIVD WEST MAKIN' THREES?
SUREpic.twitter.com/KPr08dzXWA
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
However, Curry was not going to leave this game in doubt. He went off in the fourth quarter and set an NBA Finals record by hitting nine three-pointers in the game, with five in the second half. Shots like these are just ridiculous and insurmountable barriers for Cleveland to vault over.
STEPHEN CURRY FROM WAY DEEP
WHATTTTTTT pic.twitter.com/uMAl2LvA9y
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
STEPHEN CURRY 4-POINT PLAY ???
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/MGJCBsJWQe
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 4, 2018
The Warriors will travel to Northeast Ohio for Game 3 on June 6th, where they look to take a commanding 3-0 lead.
