Free rein as 3’s rain
Curry’s 9 treys break Finals mark
OAKLAND, Calif. — Stephen Curry hit an NBA Finals-record nine 3-pointers and scored 33 points, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 122-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night for 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Kevin Durant found his steady stroke to score 26 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists while also handling a load of the defensive assignment against LeBron James. Klay Thompson added 20 points playing on a tender left leg to put the defending champions two victories from a repeat title they have talked about since the season began last fall.
James followed up his 51-point performance in Game 1 with 29 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds in a far tamer Finals sequel minus the utter craziness of a drama-packed opener three days prior.
Game 3 is Wednesday night in Cleveland.
Kevin Love had 22 points and 10 boards for the cold-shooting Cavs, who will now try to gain some momentum back home.
Curry had the shot of the night with 7:54 to play, making an offbalance swish from several feet behind the 3-point arc over Love as the shot clock wound down, then backpedaled in pure joy. Curry fell into the first row of fans with a baseline 3 again over Love and four-point play at the 5:44 mark of the fourth.
James pointed with both hands after his 3 with 11:04 remaining got his team within seven, before Curry answered from deep the next two trips down the floor. Curry squatted low to admire his shot as it went in at one point and galloped back in joy after he hit two deep 3-pointers late in the first half.
They had a tense moment in the third, too.
James became irate at the officials for a no-call on Curry, who ran beneath the Cavs star and didn’t let him land with 3:54 remaining in the quarter as James caught Love’s long pass and went out of bounds. Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue was hit with a technical for arguing it.
JaVale McGee scored 12 points, making all six of his shots in his first career NBA Finals start as Warriors coach Steve Kerr made a lineup switch that proved spot on.
The typically efficient Durant connected on 10-of-14 shots after going just 8-for-22 — 1-of-7 on 3’s — in the opener but still scoring 26 points.
Last year’s NBA Finals MVP made his initial five field goals last night, driving right at James on offense and doing all he could to fluster him on defense.
James hit a 3-pointer over Durant’s outstretched arm midway through the third, then Tristan Thompson’s basket the next possession pulled the Cavs within 72-66. But they couldn’t contain Curry and the rest of the Warriors for extended stretches.