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Warriors go up 1-0 on Cavaliers in NBA Finals

 
The Warriors’ Festus Ezeli dunks during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cavaliers. Golden State overcomes Stephen Curry’s subpar shooting for a victory thanks to a bench that outscores Cleveland’s 45-10.
The Warriors’ Festus Ezeli dunks during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cavaliers. Golden State overcomes Stephen Curry’s subpar shooting for a victory thanks to a bench that outscores Cleveland’s 45-10.
Published June 3, 2016

OAKLAND, Calif. — Stephen Curry's "Strength In Numbers" supporting cast made all the timely shots and all the difference for the defending champions in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Draymond Green had 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, Shaun Livingston scored a personal postseason best of 20 and Golden State's bench came up big as the Warriors beat LeBron James and the Cavaliers 104-89 Thursday night to move three wins away from a repeat title.

Curry and Splash Brother Klay Thompson? They totaled 20 points between them on 8-for-27 shooting.

"Steph just had one of those nights, just wasn't going in. He had some turnovers. It happens," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "Even the best players in the world have bad nights. But it didn't hurt us, because of our bench and our overall play with our defensive effort and taking care of the ball."

Golden State's bench outscored the Cavs' reserves 45-10. The Warriors' 35-point bench advantage is the largest by any team in the Finals in at least the past 50 years, according to Elias Sports.

This was a night for Livingston and fellow reserves Leandro Barbosa and Andre Iguodala. Barbosa shot 5-for-5, while Iguodala had 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and some stingy defense on James.

It made for a strong start while surrounded by the yellow "Strength in Numbers" shirts that hung on seats throughout the arena.

"That's our motto. That's what we believe in," Livingston said. "We pick each other up. We believe in each other, and we just fight."

James kicked off his sixth straight Finals with 23 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, but Cleveland went 38.1 percent from the floor. Kyrie Irving had 26 points, 11 on free throws.

Iguodala showed he can handle any role. He didn't let an aggravating, hard hit to the groin by Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova derail his focus.

Kerr stuck with regular starter Harrison Barnes, and he delivered 13 points. Curry had 11 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Thompson scored nine.

Iguodala had moved back into the starting lineup Monday for the Game 7 clincher in the West final against Oklahoma City with a primary duty of defending Kevin Durant, shining in that role, and again came off the bench to play 36 minutes Thursday. He shook his head in delight after a two-handed slam off a pass from Curry with 5:44 left.

Cleveland emerged from halftime with a newfound energy, zipping passes every which way, going hard to the basket whenever possible and swarming Curry and the others.

Cleveland's Kevin Love made an impressive debut in the Finals with 17 points and 13 rebounds after missing last year's run with a dislocated shoulder.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Raptors coach Dwane Casey reportedly agreed to a three-year, $18 million contract extension.