The revenge has failed! The Golden State Warriors (27-7) have won the first finals-rematch of the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers (24-10) even without Stephen Curry. At 99:92, the main difference is the defense.
Both teams missed the point guards in Stephen Curry and Isaiah Thomas, but the Warriors had Draymond Green at their disposal again, and in view of the previous history, there was a lot at stake for both teams. You could see that from the start. It was a buzz and in the first seven minutes of the game, Green and Kevin Durant made technical fouls in a fiery atmosphere.
The Cavaliers got off to a slightly better start, but they took three of Klay Thompson’s annoying transition trios and therefore only took a 4-point lead into the second quarter. LeBron James’ first intermission immediately melted, and three minutes before halftime Durant took the hosts to the top three for the first time. The Warriors now defended excellently in some places and forced Cleveland again and again to bad throws. At 46:44 we started the break.
After that, things continued similarly – the Warriors were the better team, but they couldn’t really take off because the offense didn’t run as smoothly as usual for a long time. While James was in trouble, Kevin Love kept the Cavaliers within striking distance of each other, so Golden State was leading by only 4 points ahead of the last quarter. But there the dubs missed to close the bag again.
In the meantime the Dubs had gone to 9, but with 1:50 minutes left on the clock James equalled the match again. Thompson met a threesome, then the Refs missed out on successive Possessions Durant fouls versus James. The Cavs were left with deliberate fouls, but Thompson gave himself no nakedness on the line and brought home the victory.
For the Shooting Guard these were points 23 and 24, but only Durant was better in the dubs, who scored 25 points, 7 rebounds and a strong 5 blocks. Green delivered a triple double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. In Cleveland, Love was the most productive player with 31 points and 18 rebounds, James scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, but also 7 turnovers.
Warriors vs. Cavs: Click here for the BOXSCORE!
Kevin Durant. What a defense Durant showed over long distances! Though he was lucky twice in the final minutes and should have collected fouls, but mostly he protected the ring rather excellently and therefore came on proud 5 blocks. With KD, Green and Bell on the court, the dubs don’t have to worry about athletics, length and rim protection.
In the Cavs, some players didn’t meet their own standards, even about LeBron this could be said, but nobody disappointed like J. R.. Smith – the shooting guard was completely invisible in his 30:55 minutes. Smith scored a total of 2 points (0/5 FG) and lost sight of his opponent in the defense as well.
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In the Warriors Zaza Pachulia was available again after his injury, but Kerr left Jordan Bell in the Starting Five – probably because he wanted to see how the second-round pick would beat in this very important duel. The realization: Pretty good! Bell was full of defensiveness and switchered everything, in front he liked it with a few fine passes and brought in his athleticism well. In this way, he could indeed take over important minutes in a possible new edition in the finals. Remember, the Warriors got this pick from Chicago for a little money.