The Cavaliers shot 38 percent and couldn’t find a way to stop the Golden State Warriors’ reserves in a 104-89 loss Thursday night for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined for just 20 points on 8-for-27 shooting, but the Warriors’ bench outscored Cleveland’s reserves 45-10 and the Cavaliers coughed up 17 turnovers that led to 25 points for the defending champions.
Playing in his sixth straight NBA Finals, LeBron James delivered 23 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Love was strong in his Finals debut with 17 points and 13 boards.
Curry and Thompson were 4-for-13 from 3-point range, and the two-time MVP turned the ball over five times.
Kyrie Irving scored 26 points but shot just 7-of-22. Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, who are trying to end a pro-sports championship drought in Cleveland that extends back five decades.
Information from ESPN.com contributed to this report.
