This is the Hangover. We get basketball-wasted all the time. Yes, we recap the NBA every night in our own way.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
#1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 77 @ #1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 110
NBA Finals – Game 2 – WARRIORS lead series, 2-0
Well, the defending champions overwhelmed the Cavs once again.
The Warriors’ swarming defense was evident from the start. Andrew Bogut blocked four shots in the first quarter (five in the game). Still, with the pace slowed to a turtle’s speed (not a Ninja Turtle), the Cavs led, 21-19.
Draymond Green was left open and he made the Cavaliers pay with his three-point shooting. The Cavs would get some bad news as Kevin Love was elbowed in the head by Harrison Barnes. Love would return immediately in a controversial manner but eventually would leave the game after he experienced dizziness early in the second half. Anyway, a 20-2 run would put the Warriors on the school bus driver’s seat.
The Cavs would turn the ball often in the third quarter. While the Warriors eventually turned the ball over more, their defense stifled Cleveland’s shooting. And with Curry (18 points) sitting down, Draymond Green, Leandro Barbosa, and Klay Thompson (17 points) carried the offense. There isn’t much you can say when the team is that much on fire. Golden State led by 20 at the end of three and they never let up on the gas pedal.
No clipboards were destroyed during the game but I’m sure LeBron James would want to destroy a building right about now. It’s gotta be frustrating to be down 0-2 in the Finals after they got what they wanted. They weren’t in full strength last season as they were without Kyrie Irving (10 points) and Kevin Love (5 points) and they are this season (though Love now has a potential concussion). What to do against the Warriors? Try to go big? Try to continue to match small ball?
What they need to do, however, is defend better, take care of the ball, and shoot better inside. The Warriors are taking full advantage of the giveaways while pushing the pace, which is what they like to do.
But with Love being potentially out, it may get even harder for the Cavs. Let’s also not forget that neither Splash Brother has had a signature game in the Finals.
BEHIND THE LINES
Draymond Green (GS): 28 pts, 7 rebs, 5 assts.
LeBron James (CLE): 19 pts, 8 rebs, 9 assts, 4 stls.
WATCH THIS PLAY
Look at this excellent pass by Shaun Livingston.
https://youtu.be/z949bm44plw
(VIDEO CREDIT: Your Sports.)
The series is going back to Cleveland. But you can’t go in with less momentum than the Cavs are going back home.
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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