Game 2 of the NBA Finals followed a somewhat similar script as Game 1. The first half was a blast that end in a close(ish) game at the half. Then the Golden State Warriors caught fire as Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry went off. In the end it was a 132-113 Warriors win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors now hold a 2-0 lead with the series set to head to Cleveland.
Here are three things we learned from the Warriors' Game 2 win over the Cavs.
Welcome Back, Klay Thompson
Thompson had a brutal Game 1, with just six points on 3 of 16 shooting (0 of 5 from 3-point range). Sure, his defense was great as usual, but Thompson remained stuck in a shooting slump in Game 1. Well, he broke out of in Game 2. Thompson was much sharper, racking up 22 points and seven rebounds while going 8 of 12 from the field (and 4 of 7 from deep). If Thompson keeps playing like this, the Cavs are in big trouble.
LeBron Was Amazing
LeBron's play in Game 2 could very well be lost in the shuffle of the Warriors win and the god-awful LeBron hot takes we all know are coming. But they shouldn't distract from what was a great game from James. Yeah, he had some issues at times guarding Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry (but every player in the NBA has those issues) and James was masterful on offense. He cut down on his turnovers and racked up 29 points on 12 of 18 shooting, with 14 assists, 11 rebounds and three steals. He looked tired in the second half, but that's a still one hell of an effort. Against any other team, LeBron played well enough to win, which is why it's so worrisome his effort wasn't enough to even make it a close game.
Will The Warriors Sweep?
Yes, Cleveland still gets two home games, but these Warriors are playing stupid good. Stats don't tell the whole story, but they're really good indicator of just how good the Warriors were in Game 2, especially among the Warriors almost-unfair Big 4. We mentioned Thompson above, while Draymond Green still racked up 12 points, six rebounds and six assists despite finding himself in foul trouble. Durant was again great on both ends, posting 33 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, five blocks, three steals as he continued his march towards Finals MVP. Stephen Curry went off, with 32 points, 11 assists and 10 boards for a triple-double. It's pretty much impossible to stop all four of those players if they're playing well.
It feels like the Cavs need either a really bad Warriors game or a perfect game on their end. With two games left, will either one happen? My gut says the Cavs pick up a win at home, but after two impressive wins, the Warriors are in perfect position to not just win the series, but post a perfect playoffs.
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