The Golden State Warriors overcame 20 turnovers and a triple-double by Cleveland’s LeBron James to beat the Cavaliers 132-113 at Oracle arena on Sunday and push their Finals series lead to 2-0.
Warriors forward Kevin Durant electrified the gold-clad sold-out crowd in Oakland with 33 points and 13 rebounds to go along with five blocks three steals. Guard Stephen Curry had a triple-double of his own but also committed eight turnovers.
Durant said the sloppy play in the first half was the reason the Warriors were unable to pull away early.
“Turnovers, can’t give them easy baskets,” he said in an on-court interview.
Curry and Durant have been hailed as the best duo in the NBA but the Warriors guard said they were just trying to play good basketball.
“I’m not it’s for us to debate,” Curry said. “We’re young, healthy, playing a game we love.”
The game marked the return of Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who was sidelined earlier in the playoffs by persistent back pain following several surgeries. He said he intended to coach the team for the remainder of the best-of-seven series.
While the Warriors are looking strong they will no doubt be keen to keep their foot on the gas. They had a 3-1 lead over Cleveland in last year’s Finals before the Cavs stormed back to win it in seven games.
Game Three is in Cleveland on Wednesday.