A Review of NBA Finals Game 1: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors

Jun 08, 2015 - by Dani

“Final Crowd”

Golden States starts off to best the series.

Making gambling news, Golden State returns to the Finals for the first time in 40 years. Stephen Curry has been a driving force behind Golden State and is considered one of the best to play his position of point guard. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who have never won an NBA Finals game, are also chasing history. In addition, their superstar Lebron James is in his first year back at Cleveland since he left Cleveland to start his championship collection with the Miami Heat. Lebron is the first player to get to the NBA Finals five consecutive times with two different teams.

espn.go.com: Warriors overcome LeBron James’ 44, breeze in overtime to go up 1-0

Although the Warriors are 39-2 at home, Cleveland worked to start things off. The Cavaliers got two quick fouls in the first minute of the game. Lebron, who picked up a personal foul, was able to get to the line early and make three points. Curry started to feel his stroke from three-point range early himself. Lebron shot was blocked and stolen by the Warriors’. Bogut got hot in the paint as he blocks another shot.

Deep in the first quarter Cleveland started to heat the intensity were making mistakes even though Lebron made 7 of the teams first 9 points. Kyrie Irving, still suffering from tendinitis in the knee put in a couple of free throws, a three-pointer and an amazing drive for Cleveland. Barbosa drilled a deep three-pointer for Golden State. The first quarter ended with Cleveland leading by 10 points.

Cleveland started the quarter out energetic but less effective. Cleveland’s Mozgov, who got his groove in the first quarter, still showed a pulse on the inside. Kyrie Irving contributed on offense and defense. Marreese Speights erupted from the bench with 6 points in 4 minutes. Curry put in his 3rd field goal of night. Any punter for the Warriors who was using live sports results might be worried.

espn.go.com: Time for bold moves with Kyrie out

Another three-pointer in the corner by Curry tied the game. Shooting between the teams remained between 41 and 45 percent for both teams. Curry was officially on fire as he got in another shot. After Irving got one in, Curry took the up, faced Lebron and went around him for a lay-up. Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert knocked in a pair of three-pointers. Smith put in a deep three-pointer to put Cavaliers ahead 51-48 at half time.

Stephen Curry (PHOTO: you2repeat.com)

The second half started with the same momentum. Lebron picks up his 2nd foul after he got his 21st point. A recently hot Curry got his 16th point. Raymond Green stole the ball, got it to Curry, the turnover was made as Irving drove and put it in. The defensive battle more intense as Mozgov earned his 10th point. The Warriors were looking as though they were on the verge of reaching and maintaining a sustainable lead.

Thompson on Thompson (PHOTO: Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)

Cleveland Cavaliers specialize in isolating the offense and forced the Warriors to individually perform as Thompson obliged with another three-pointer. Cleveland’s Thompson got in his 11th block. Andre Igodowa, coach Steve Kerr’s “security blanket”, broke away with a steal and put in two for the Warriors. Golden States bench outplayed Cleveland’s bench which benefitted the Warriors.

espn.go.com: Kyrie Irving to have season-ending surgery on fractured kneecap

Harrison Barnes got a couple of offensive rebounds for Golden State. As Lebron sat out, Irving got some more points in as he started to go into attack mode. Barbosa, cold in shooting, was able to do some damage defensively. A quick jumper by Lebron, put Cleveland back on top, a dunk by Bogut put the Warriors back ahead. With Igodowa still strong, Irving wasn’t showing signs of slowing down.

As five minutes remained, Thomspon sank in a three pointer which brought the Warriors the within one point of the lead. With 14 points, Mozgov contributed defensively. With a bold set of steps against Lebron, Curry put in jumper which brought the Warriors ahead by one. A foul on Mozgov put him on the line which resulted in two points tying the game and putting it in overtime which made sports scores news.

In the first overtime in the NBA Finals in 14 years, led to forced attempts by both sides. After four transitions, Curry drew a foul leading Golden State by two. Two more transitions later, Curry drew another foul which put him back on the line. Another Cleveland turnover led to three-point shot by Harrison Barnes as Irving limped off the court. Cleveland remained scoreless as the Warriors won 108-98.

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