Steph Curry hits nine three-pointers as Warriors claim 2-0 NBA Finals lead over Cavaliers
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 04/06/18 6:18am
Steph Curry set a new NBA Finals record by hitting nine three-pointers to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 122-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 2-0 series advantage.
Curry scored 33 points and a flurry of successful shots from beyond the arc in the second half helped the Warriors maintain the significant lead they had built early in the game.
Golden State made the most of a 12-minute spell in the first half when LeBron James failed to score, securing a 13-point lead by half-time in front of a crowd that had been livened up by a couple of early dunks by JaVale McGee.
Although the Cavaliers fought back in the third period, Curry's run of three-pointers took the game beyond them and they head back to Cleveland for Game Three on Wednesday desperate not to fall three behind.
Curry ended up leading all scorers with 33 points - also adding seven rebounds and eight assists - while Kevin Durant scored 26 and Klay Thompson played through an ankle injury to add 20 points.
Despite his cold run before the interval, James hit 10-of-20 shots for Cleveland to score 29 points, albeit some way down on the 51 he scored in the tight opening game, while Kevin Love added 22 points, but they received little help off the bench.
"To be on top of that three-point list is pretty special," Curry said. "Pretty special night. And hopefully some more special things happen when we get two more wins."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr added: "We just played a more intense defensive game tonight than we did in Game One
"It's not about scoring, it's about the defensive intensity. We're happy with the way we played. But we know this is just getting started."
