NBA FINALS: GAME 1 - THE AFTERMATH

              The Golden State Warriors continued their impressive dominance through the 2017 postseason with a convincing 113-91 victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The much-anticipated rematch between these two juggernauts in the association was competitive for the most part, however the 3^rd quarter fueled by a relentless performance by Kevin Durant proved to be the difference. Durant led all scorers with (38 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds) but more important 0 turnovers. Durant became just the 3^rd player in NBA Finals history to record over 30 points and commit no turnovers in a Finals game since (2000 – Shaquille O’neal) and (1998 – Michael Jordan). Durant also shot 53% from the field and seemed to be impossible to guard nor stop as he had 6 dunks in the first half alone putting on an offensive clinic at Oracle Arena. His counterpart Steph Curry who has had NBA Finals performance woes dating back to their title run in 2015 added (28 points and 10 assist) while shooting over 50% from the field and going (6/11 – 3PT). However, the most important stat line from the game were the Warriors only committing 4 turnovers for the game. A feat only done in the NBA Finals by (2013 – Spurs / 2005 – Pistons). The dynamic duo combined for half of Golden State points. The Warriors have won 28 of their last 29 games, (13-0) in the playoffs, have not lost a game since April 10^th and when all 4 of their perennial All-Stars (Durant, Curry, Green, and Thompson) have been playing, have not lost since February 28^th.

               Meanwhile it is back to the drawing boards for head coach Ty Lue and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The biggest lead the Cavs held was (4) points and that was in the first quarter as the Warriors dominated the rest of the way. LeBron James playing in his 7^th straight NBA Finals series and 41^st NBA Finals game had (28 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists) to go along with 8 turnovers. James seemed to be a shell of himself at times with his erratic plague of turnovers especially having (6) of his (8) in the 2^nd quarter. While Kyrie Irving had his own share (4 turnovers) to go with (24 points), Cleveland never seemed to put it all together. Kevin Love added (15 points, 21 rebounds, and 3 blocks). While the other (9) players who touched the floor combined a dismal (7/31) shooting. Cleveland as a team had 20 turnovers compared to GSW with their 4. The Cavs went back to their old ways with their subpar play defensively. Transition defense was a joke once again and even with their (12-2) postseason record, they have allowed their opponent to at least score (100 points) or more in 12 out of 14 playoff games.

               A game plan devised to run the Warriors off the 3 PT line, exploited Cleveland getting outscored in the paint (56-30). While both teams shot around (35-36%) from the 3PT line, Golden State took (20) more shots while shooting a combined (42.5%) from the field. The Cavaliers barely outrebounded the Warriors largely due in part to Kevin Love’s 21 boards, because Tristian Thompson who was averaging double figures in rebounding provided the Cavs with a low (0 points and 4 rebounds) in just 22 minutes of play. GSW was beneficial on the offensive glass unlike Cleveland scoring (18) points off second chance points while taking advantage of a sloppy Cavaliers team with a (21 - 6) run off turnovers. The Warriors also got Cleveland off their game playing fast. That is when the turnovers reigned for Cleveland as Golden State led the game (27 – 8) in fast break points. The JaVale McGee/Zaza Pachulia combo only had 12 points/11boards; however, the Warriors have excelled more on the offensive end with a true center on the floor alongside their core 4.  The Cavs bench only had (21) points and must be more efficient per game if Cleveland has a chance in the world. Both teams started off slow and a side of rust you could tell was with both teams. However, the Warriors took advantage of (9) 2^nd quarter turnovers to take an (8) point lead into the half. Then their stellar defense held Cleveland scoreless for the first 5 minutes of the 3^rd quarter and GSW took a commanding (21) point lead. Even when the Cavs cut the deficit to (12), but with LeBron James off the floor the offense became stagnant, one and done on the offensive end, and no type of transition nor half-court defense as Durant, Curry and company took full advantage and never looked back. Durant and Curry combined for (66 points, 18 assists, 14 rebounds, and a low 2 turnovers). LeBron James is now (1-7) in NBA Finals games 1 and (70%) of teams that win game 1 win the series, but don’t tell Cleveland that after last year’s NBA Finals results. Kevin Durant has averaged over (30) points per game in the NBA Finals dating back to 2012 in his OKC days. Even with Klay Thompson struggling from the floor shooting (3-16), his defense made up for it. Cleveland players were (1/12) when Thompson was the primary defender. The Cavs won the rebound battle and free throws attempt, however lost the turnover and shooting battles. The Warriors had 31 assists in route to their 113 points which ultimately alongside the Cavs turnovers and lights out shooting from their Superstars (Durant/Curry) proved to be the difference. LeBron James will have to score at least, at least (35) points per and as a team they will have to cut down on the turnovers. Stopping Durant is easier said than done but they must chase Golden State’s three-point shooters off the line and force them into contested and difficult jumpers unlike their parting the red sea for layup drills in game 1. The Warriors having only 4 turnovers the next game is a stretch but I am sure Ty Lue will make the necessary adjustments to stay discipline on defense, limit second chance points while getting a more balanced scoring attack or this series will be over before it shifts to Quicken Loans Arena for games 3 and 4.