The Golden State Warriors are up 2-0 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA finals. Game 2 proved, yet again, that the Warriors are very difficult to stop, especially if the opposing team falls into the trap of attempting to play the Warriors' brand of basketball. The incredible tandem of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry is leading the way so far. Can the Warriors go undefeated in these playoffs?
Warriors are gearing up
In Game 2 of the NBA finals, Durant and Curry carried the Golden State Warriors to another convincing win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The score, 132-113, reflected the superiority of the Warriors on their home floor once again.
Warriors' coach Steve Kerr was finally back on the bench after missing most of these playoffs because of his back problems. Oracle Arena erupted in joy as it welcomed back its coach. The fans were ready to see him lead their Warriors to victory again.
In the first half, we saw a close game between two extraordinarily talented teams. The Cavaliers came into the game with a different focus and intensity. They implemented the necessary adjustments in order to make the Warriors take tougher shots and turn the ball over.
The score at the end of the first half was 67-64, and the NBA world began to realize that the Cavaliers could truly threaten the Warriors.
But, was that first half only an illusion? The Cavaliers had raised their level and played at the high pace the Warriors are accustomed to, but the Warriors proved they could play at an even higher level that would wear down the Cavaliers.
The second half arrived and the Warriors stepped up a gear. All of a sudden, they had outscored the Cavaliers 65-49 after two quarters.
The final score was 132-113; it was another blowout win that filled the Warriors' fans with hope but deprived the rest of the NBA fans of the close game we all anticipated and wished for.
Durant and Curry stand out
Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are showing the world the kind of dynasty they can build for the next few years. Curry recorded his first NBA playoffs triple-double by giving his team 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Durant exhibited outstanding form yet again thanks to his 33 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. The two Warriors stars took turns putting the team on their back in the most crucial moments of the game. This is one scary duo the rest of the NBA teams will continue to fail to stop.
On the other hand, LeBron James ended up with a triple double of his own - 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. While his energy level was off the charts in the first half, it seemed like LeBron's attempt to keep up with the Warriors' fast pace took a toll on him in the second half.
Kevin Love's 27 points and 7 rebounds proves that he showed up. Kylie Irving, on the other hand, failed to leave his mark on the game.
Irving will need to find a way to be more aggressive and bypass Klay Thompson's suffocating defense.
Speaking of Klay, his shooting touch was finally back. His 22 points, including four 3-pointers, was what his team needed from him on the offensive end. His defense is always there, and that is a major reason why the Warriors are up 2-0 in the NBA finals.
While these impressive individual stats we are seeing in these NBA finals are somewhat inflated due to the free-flowing and rapid style of game that is being played by both teams, no one can question the unique talent we are witnessing in these NBA finals. The Warriors are ready to make history and the Cavaliers will be ready to fight back. Game 3 awaits on Wednesday at 9 PM Eastern Time. It will be a big game for the Cavaliers, who need to finally make a statement of their own before it is too late.
