LeBron James’ mammoth performance in Game 1 was not enough to tow the Cleveland Cavaliers to a victory, losing to the Golden State Warriors in overtime, 124-114. There’s still a long way to go in the series, and the Cavs can tie it all up this Sunday in Oakland before heading back home for Games 3 and 4.
LeBron James did everything but uproot their basket in order for the Warriors not to shoot at in Game 1, as the planet’s best player dropped 51 points to go with eight rebounds and eight assists in 48 minutes of play. What made the game a big letdown for the Cavs apart from James’ wasted effort was that he actually had help in this game with Kevin Love pumping in a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds and the bench lending 23 points in support. Cleveland just needs to have a short memory and forget the loss. If anything, they will need to remember how they did beneath the glass, as they outrebounded Golden State in the series opener, 53-38. James is not going to score 50+ points each game against a team like the Warriors, so guys like Love, George Hill, and J.R. Smith needs to keep bringing something to the table.
The Cavs have covered the spread in five of their last 10 games away from Cleveland.
The Warriors might need to get J.R. Smith his own ring if they went on to win the series. Thanks to Smith’s late-game error, the Warriors were able to gather themselves together just enough to make an offensive surge in overtime, where they outscored the Cavs, 17-7. The Warriors did not have their signature third-quarter onslaught but they still made timely baskets whenever they needed them, and it’s going to continue happening simply because they just have too many high-grade weapons on offense. Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Kevin Durant had 26, and Klay Thompson had 24 to negate LeBron James’ production on the other end of the floor. Draymond Green, meanwhile, had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. He also had five steals and two blocks. Even though Golden State shot 51.1 percent from the field, it did not feel as though it was on par with how they usually play. That’s scary, and the Cavs better brace for a Warriors impact on Sunday.
