Sun.Star Davao

Another knockout

Durant's 32 leads NBA champions past Cavs

-

CLEVELAND (AP) — Once the lead swelled to 14, Kevin Durant waved both arms like a boxing referee stopping a fight.

Another knockout on the road for these Warriors.

Durant scored 32 points, Stephen Curry added 23 and Golden State extended its road winning streak to 13 with a 118-108 Martin Luther King holiday victory Monday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, their struggling NBA Finals foes.

Durant scored 16 in the third quarter for the defending champions, who clamped down on defense and pulled away in the fourth to remain unbeaten outside Oracle Arena since Nov. 22. It's not that they play poorly at home, but Durant said the Dubs take a different identity when they travel.

"At home, we just relax a little bit," Durant said. "This is who we are when we're on the road."

LeBron James scored 32 points and Kevin Love 17 for Cleveland, which had its home winning streak stopped at 13. Isaiah Thomas, getting his first taste of the Warriors Cavaliers rivalry, had 19 points in 32 minutes — his most in five games as he returns from a hip injury.

It was Golden State's second straight win over Cleveland, which has dropped eight of 10 dating to a loss to the Warriors on Christmas Day. The Cavs were down just 93-91 entering the fourth, but missed 17 of 19 shots to open the period, and Golden State throttled away.

 ??  ??
 ?? AP Photo ?? Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, left, passes against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland.
AP Photo Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, left, passes against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, in Cleveland.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines