GS defends homecourt, blasts Cleveland for 2-0 Finals lead

Steph Curry dropped an NBA Finals record nine threes on Monday. Marcio Sanchez/AP

By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI--No more late drama this time.

Golden State mauled Cleveland, 122-103, in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Monday (Philippine Time).

The Warriors did not let a hot start slip away despite the Cavalier's resilience late in the first quarter and most of the third quarter and finally broke loose in the final canto, even stretching their lead to as high as 21 toward the end of the game.

Steph Curry dropped a single-game NBA Finals record nine triples en route to 33 points with seven rebounds, eight assists, and one steal for Golden State.

Kevin Durant added 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks, while Klay Thompson made 8-of-13 from the field for 20 points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Shaun Livingston and Javale McGee combined for 22 points on a perfect 11-of-11 shooting.

LeBron James, who actually came close to a triple-double in Game1 on Friday along with his playoff career-high 51 points, flirted with the said achievement again, this time with a double-double of 29 points and 13 assists and nine rebounds with two steals for Cleveland, which will host Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Saturday (Philippine Time) respectively as the club looks to avoid a 0-3 hole in the series.

Box Scores:

GOLDEN STATE 122 Curry 33, Durant 26, K. Thompson 20, McGee 12, Livingston 10, Pachulia 6, D. Green 5, Bell 5, West 3, Cook 2, Looney 0, McCaw 0, Young 0.

CLEVELAND 103 James 29, Love 22, Hill 15, T. Thompson 11, J. Green 6, Smith 5, Calderon 4, Nance Jr. 2, Clarkson 2, Osman 2, Zizic 2, Hood 2, Korver 1.

Quarters: 32-28; 59-46; 90-79; 122-103.

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