LeBron James cops finals thrashing

The face of the NBA has been blown out in game one of the finals, after the Warriors put on a show | VIDEO

Kevin Durant drives to the basket. Picture: Getty

NBA Finals 2017, Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers game one: Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first meeting in the seven-game series. The Warriors have scored a huge win, taking game one 113-91.

Durant leads rout

Kevin Durant drove through the lane untouched for dazzling dunks time and again, finishing with 38 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in his first NBA Finals for Golden State and leading the Warriors past LeBron James and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, 113-91 on Thursday in Game 1.

Stephen Curry scored 28 points with six 3-pointers and 10 assists as this sure- to-be thrilling trilogy began at last, a long-expected, spectacular grand finale envisioned ever since that July day Durant left Oklahoma City to join the loaded Warriors.

James wound up with 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists a day after dealing with bigotry far away from basketball. Someone painted a racial slur - the N-word - on the gate of his Los Angeles home, leaving James to address racism rather than his seventh straight Finals appearance or stopping KD. James said he would do his best to be ready for the series opener when his mind was elsewhere, concerned for his wife and children back in Ohio.

Durant punished Cleveland for leaving him free, taking the ball to the hoop for emphatic dunks as a man on a mission to deliver exactly what he came for: a championship. He had six slams in the first half alone for the Warriors, who at 13-0 are already the first team to go this far in a postseason unblemished.

Stephen Curry and co delivered a kicking to their bitter rivals. Picture: Getty

“I think the start of the game, we were a little too anxious and we missed some lay-ups, we gave up some open shots,” Durant said. “I think we just locked in from the second quarter on.”

Game 2 in the series is Sunday back at Oracle Arena with its deafening sellout crowd.

Kyrie Irving, who hit the deciding 3-pointer with Curry’s hand in his face last June as Cleveland rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to win the city’s first major team title in 52 years, scored 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting. Kevin Love grabbed 21 rebounds and scored 15 points, while Tristan Thompson was held scoreless and to four boards.

Durant’s only other Finals ended at the hands of LeBron and Miami in 2012. He shot 14 for 26 in his fifth 30-point performance this postseason, receiving a rousing ovation when he sat down for good with 2:16 remaining. Curry sported a fresh haircut for the occasion and the two-time reigning MVP initially wore a black sleeve on his shooting arm to protect a tender elbow that still had some swelling, but he quickly removed it and found his stroke. He shot 11 for 22, 6 of 11 on 3s.

This marks the first time in NBA history the same two teams played in three straight Finals and just the fourth time it has happened in the four major sports leagues.

The shooting was far from pretty, and Cleveland’s defence was a step behind most of the night, unable to stop the star-studded roster of All-Stars and key role players on the other side. Golden State finally warmed up after nine days off, while the Cavs had a six-day break since beating Boston in the Eastern Conference finals.

Warriors starting centre Zaza Pachulia returned after missing the final two games at San Antonio with a bruised right heel and contributed eight points and six rebounds while plugging the paint.

Golden State’s four turnovers tied an NBA Finals low.

TIP-INS Cavaliers: James became the first player with 6,000 career points in the postseason. His 3-pointer in the third quarter moved him past Reggie Miller (320) for second place on the NBA postseason 3-point list, which is led by Ray Allen with 385. ... Cleveland committed 12 of its 20 turnovers in the first half.

Warriors: Steve Kerr had hoped to feel well enough to return to the bench but stayed behind the scenes in the locker room as he continues to deal with complications from back surgery nearly two years ago. “My heart goes out to him,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. ... Curry became the fifth player in NBA history with 300 career playoff 3s after coming in with 295. ... Klay Thompson, playing more stellar defence while missing all five of his 3-point tries and scoring just six points, notched his 77th career postseason game to tie Jeff Mullins for most in franchise history.

1.35pm: Warriors thump Cavaliers

Kevin Durant scored 38 points in his first NBA Finals game with Golden State, Stephen Curry added 28 and the Warriors rolled to their 13th straight win this postseason by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-91 in Game 1. With Durant on board, the opener of Cavs-Warriors III was a mismatch as Golden State scored the first 13 points of the third quarter to take a 21-point lead and never looked back.

LeBron James had 28 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavs but also finished with seven turnovers.

Cleveland has lost the opener in the Finals to Golden State for three straight years but did rally to win the championship in seven games last year.

LeBron James endured a tough night against the Warriors. Picture: AFP

1.20pm: Early night for LeBron

LeBron James’ night looks to be over.

Cleveland’s biggest star went to the bench with 4:06 remaining in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, with his Cavaliers trailing Golden State 105-84. James had a huge night, with 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.

With the Cavaliers apparently about to lose, this will be familiar territory for James. Once this game ends, his teams in Cleveland and Miami will be 1-7 in Game 1s of the NBA Finals.

He got a Game 1 win in 2011 - when Miami lost to Dallas.

He lost Game 1s in 2012, 2013 and last season, but he and the Heat (the first two years) and the Cavs (last year) rallied to win the title. And he lost Game 1 in 2007, 2014 and 2015, then went on to lose the series as well.

Here’s some good news for Cavs fans: James might be 1-7 in Game 1s, but he’s 4-3 in Game 2s.

Kevin Durant gets past LeBron James. Picture: AFP

1pm: Big lead for the home team

Golden State have a 21-point advantage over the Cavaliers after three quarters. The Warriors lead 93-72. Kevin Durant now has 30 points.

Draymond with the tough finish!@warriors have their largest lead of Game 1. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/eRmJ2NuzN8

— GoldenStateWarriors (@DubNation_247) June 2, 2017

12.50pm: Cavaliers facing big deficit

With four minutes remaining in the third quarter Golden State have opened up a 16-point gap over Cleveland. Steph Curry’s five three-pointers have helped him to 23 points, while Kevin Durant has 26. Lebron James also has 26, and Kyrie Irving 17. Warriors 80 Cavaliers 64.

12.50pm: A winning break

Whatever got said in the Golden State locker room at halftime worked. The Warriors opened the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on a 13-0 run, opening up a 73-52 lead over Cleveland early in the third quarter. Cleveland answered with an 8-2 run, with LeBron James scoring five of those to help get the Cavaliers back within 15.

Playing from behind is a new thing for the Cavs in these playoffs: In the Eastern Conference finals against Boston, Cleveland trailed for a grand total of zero seconds on the road.

12.45pm: Curry heating up

Steph... LeBron...shook... three... 👀 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/sI2ud1zYej

— TBN (@TBNMedia) June 2, 2017

12.20pm: Durant leads Warriors charge

Welcome back to the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant.

Kevin Durant dunks during the first half. Picture: AP

Back on the league’s championship stage for the first time since 2012, Durant has 23 points on 10 for 18 shooting and Golden State leads Cleveland 60-52 at halftime of Game 1.

Durant has been showcasing much of his offensive weaponry - dunks, 3-pointers, and backing Kyrie Irving down the lane with ease while being fouled. He also has six assists, and he even took a charge against LeBron James late in the half. Stephen Curry has 12 points for the Warriors.

James has been his usual brilliant self for Cleveland, with 19 points and 11 rebounds already. Kyrie Irving has 17 points and Kevin Love has 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Golden State is shooting 43 per cent, Cleveland 40 per cent.

12pm: Durant on the charge

Tonight's game leading scorers thus far.
LeBron👑 - 17 points
KD🐍 - 12 points #NBAFinals  pic.twitter.com/XukXm7S9CQ

— NBA Gods (@SportsLeakers) June 2, 2017

11.55am: Danger signs for Cavs

Almost halfway through the second quarter the Warriors have a seven-point lead, 43-36, after a slam by Kevin Durant. LeBron James is carrying Cleveland, with 17 points. The Warriors have spread their scoring around a little more evenly between Curry, Durant and Iguodola.

Warriors star Stephen Curry. Picture: AFP

11.45am: Highlight reel

Ball-handling masterclass courtesy of Stephen Curry#NBAFinals #DubNation pic.twitter.com/Y5CMqRkboz

— NBA.com (@NBAcom) June 2, 2017

11.40am: Warriors have the edge

Golden State lead 35-30 after the first quarter, after a three-pointer from Andre Iguodala at the buzzer. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have 10 points each; Lebron James has 13 for the Cavs. Kyrie Ivring has nine.

Kevin Durant tries to get past LeBron James. Picture: AFP

11.30am: LeBron slam

LeBron so wide open it takes him a split-second to get his bearings#NBAFinals #DefendTheLand pic.twitter.com/xMjUZDIhjE

— NBA.com (@NBAcom) June 2, 2017

11.20am: A cold start

The first three minutes of play features the Warriors going 2-9 and the Cavs 1-6 from the field, not surprising given the long lay-off both teams had between the conference finals and the decider.

Halfway through the first quarter the scores are locked at 14 apiece.

LeBron James looks to pass against the Warriors. Picture: AFP

11.10am: Tip-off

The Warriors and Cavaliers are underway at Golden State’s home court.

The Golden State Warriors huddle together before game one. Picture: AFP

Finals preview

After a 346-day wait, the NBA Finals are back and it’s as if nothing has changed.

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are back in Oakland at the scene of their Game 7 victory last June to take on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in this year’s highly anticipated NBA Finals.

This is the first time in NBA history teams have met in three straight Finals. The last time it happened in any major North American team sport came in 1954-56 when Detroit and Montreal squared off in three straight Stanley Cup Finals.

This will be star-studded affair with Golden State’s Kevin Durant joining the mix as one of seven 2016 All-Stars in the series.

In all, 11 players in the series have been All-Stars in their careers, tying the 1983 Finals between Philadelphia and the Lakers for the most in NBA history.

Steph Curry... from the TUNNEL! #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/Xz1tN9Etom

— NBA (@NBA) June 1, 2017

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

A lot of Love?

Cleveland almost certainly needs the Kevin Love of the last round to have a chance at the upset. He averaged a quiet 13.8 points in the first two rounds, then busted out for 22.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game against Boston in the Eastern Conference finals. Golden State will try to keep him in check with Draymond Green, one of the league’s best and most versatile defenders.

“When he’s going, he makes their team a lot better,” Green said, “so it is my job to try to take him out of the game.”

What home-court advantage?

The Cavaliers’ nine-game postseason road winning streak, three shy of the 2001-02 Lakers’ league record, started with victories last year in Games 5 and 7 in Oakland. The Warriors won at least once in Cleveland in each of the last two NBA Finals, part of their franchise-record streak of 14 straight series with a road victory.

Straight shooters?

All-Star Klay Thompson is shooting 38 per cent from the field in the postseason and 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala is just 3 for 27 from 3-point range. The Warriors’ best line-up against the Cavaliers probably has both players on the floor at the same time, with Iguodala on James and Thompson defending Irving, so Thompson said he doesn’t get caught up in whether his shot is falling.

“What happened in the past in my mind doesn’t really count now unless we go out and finish the deal,” he said. “So as long as I perform at this stage now and play my hardest, that’s all I can ask for. It’s been working up to this point, so I can’t change what I’m doing.”

No worry from Curry:

After a knee injury in the playoffs and a quick turnaround following the conference finals, Curry wasn’t in top shape last June. He’s in better health now, even while wearing a sleeve over his elbow to protect some swelling.

“Obviously not really dealing with any bumps or bruises really besides this elbow that’s not really a factor,” Curry said. “So other than that, feeling fresh.”

1997 #NBAFinals (June 1) After Karl Malone missed two free throws with 9.2 seconds remaining and the scored tied at 82, MJ went to work. pic.twitter.com/D9cmfhNkHw

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 1, 2017

AP