Warriors Topple Cavaliers, 108-85, To Secure Another TItle
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-85, at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors win the series, 4-0, and are the 2017-18 NBA champions.
The Warriors (4-0) had every reason to be riding a wave of confidence despite Game 4 unfolding in enemy territory, considering the Cavaliers (0-4) hadn't shown any indication they'd be able to slow them down. The fact that Golden State had still secured an eight-point win Wednesday in Game 3 despite a historically bad night from Stephen Curry was likely an indication that they'd be able to notch a comfortable victory if only they played much closer to their full potential. The first quarter mostly played out in that fashion Friday, as they built a 34-25 lead over the first 12 minutes despite some surges from Cleveland. They were able to hold serve in the second and maintain their nine-point advantage heading into halftime, and by subsequently adding another 12 points to their edge in the third, they essentially put the final nail in the coffin of the Eastern Conference champions. Ultimately, an exponentially sharper Curry -- who led all scorers with 37 points -- and Kevin Durant's first career postseason triple-double ensured that the Warriors hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy for the third time in four seasons.
Curry added six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks to his aforementioned scoring total, and he drained an impressive 7-for-15 from three-point range in the process. Durant followed with 20 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and one steal. Andre Iguodala supplied 11 points, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Klay Thompson poured in 10 points and added six rebounds. Draymond Green posted nine points, nine assists, three rebounds, three blocks and one steal. JaVale McGee registered six points, three rebounds and one block while drawing his third straight start.
LeBron James totaled 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and one block. Kevin Love tallied 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one steal. J.R. Smith provided 10 points, two rebounds and one assist. Rodney Hood matched Smith's scoring total and also hauled in eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block off the bench. Larry Nance, Jr. turned in seven points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.
The Warriors (4-0) had every reason to be riding a wave of confidence despite Game 4 unfolding in enemy territory, considering the Cavaliers (0-4) hadn't shown any indication they'd be able to slow them down. The fact that Golden State had still secured an eight-point win Wednesday in Game 3 despite a historically bad night from Stephen Curry was likely an indication that they'd be able to notch a comfortable victory if only they played much closer to their full potential. The first quarter mostly played out in that fashion Friday, as they built a 34-25 lead over the first 12 minutes despite some surges from Cleveland. They were able to hold serve in the second and maintain their nine-point advantage heading into halftime, and by subsequently adding another 12 points to their edge in the third, they essentially put the final nail in the coffin of the Eastern Conference champions. Ultimately, an exponentially sharper Curry -- who led all scorers with 37 points -- and Kevin Durant's first career postseason triple-double ensured that the Warriors hoisted the Larry O'Brien trophy for the third time in four seasons.
Curry added six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks to his aforementioned scoring total, and he drained an impressive 7-for-15 from three-point range in the process. Durant followed with 20 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and one steal. Andre Iguodala supplied 11 points, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Klay Thompson poured in 10 points and added six rebounds. Draymond Green posted nine points, nine assists, three rebounds, three blocks and one steal. JaVale McGee registered six points, three rebounds and one block while drawing his third straight start.
LeBron James totaled 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and one block. Kevin Love tallied 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one steal. J.R. Smith provided 10 points, two rebounds and one assist. Rodney Hood matched Smith's scoring total and also hauled in eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block off the bench. Larry Nance, Jr. turned in seven points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.