Warriors too tough for Cavs

Kevin Durant added seven assists and pulled down four rebounds Durant’s fine performance anchored Warriors back- to- back wins over Cleveland

Los Angeles, Jan. 16: Kevin Durant scored 32 points as the Golden State Warriors overpowered the Cleveland Cavaliers with a late rally to score a 118- 108 win in a pulsating clash between the two NBA arch- rivals on Monday.

Durant added seven assists and pulled down four rebounds as the Warriors completed backtoback wins over the Cavs following their victory on the Christmas Day meeting.

LeBron James and Cleveland had gone into the game at the Quicken Loans Arena determined to halt a three- game losing streak by beating the Warriors, who they have faced in the last three editions ● ● of the NBA Finals.

The Cavs had got off to a flying start, jumping out to a seven- point lead late in the first quarter before the Warriors clawed it back to 35- 37.

The Cavaliers, however, were again on top in the second quarter, building a 64- 57 lead as the halftime buzzer sounded.

But the Warriors came back with renewed vigor after the break, and with Durant and Steph Curry finding their range, were clickly back into the contest.

The Warriors outscored Cleveland by 36- 27 in the third quarter, edging into a six- point lead at 91- 85 when Durant sunk a 29foot three- point jumper.

The Warriors led 93- 91 heading into the fourth, and with Cleveland starting to tire, the NBA champions turned the screw.

A Draymond Green layup put the Warriors 10 points clear at 105- 95 with 5min 44sec on the clock and the visitors duly stretched further clear when Nick Young made a 21- foot jump shot to make it 113- 99.

Durant completed a fine night’s work with a sublime 26- foot three- pointer to extend the Warriors lead at 116- 104.

While Durant led the scoring, Curry finished with 23 points and added eight assists with four rebounds. Draymond Green ( 11) and Klay Thompson ( 17) also made double figures.

For Cleveland, James finished with 32 points, with Isaiah Thomas adding 19 and Kevin Love 17.

“I was a little upset at half- time just because we weren’t guarding anybody, we didn’t play with much intensity,” Warriors coach Kerr said.