{"id":11554,"date":"2017-06-02T09:21:00","date_gmt":"2017-06-02T09:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/associatednews.us\/content\/2017\/06\/02\/golden-state-buries-cleveland-in-game-1-of-nba-finals-113-91\/"},"modified":"2017-06-02T09:21:00","modified_gmt":"2017-06-02T09:21:00","slug":"golden-state-buries-cleveland-in-game-1-of-nba-finals-113-91","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/associatednews.us\/content\/golden-state-buries-cleveland-in-game-1-of-nba-finals-113-91\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden State Buries Cleveland In Game 1 Of NBA Finals, 113-91"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Tom Goldman<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n

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\n Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif.<\/p>\n

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Ezra Shaw\/AP<\/p>\n

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Ezra Shaw\/AP<\/p>\n

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There’s good news and bad news for the Cleveland Cavaliers following their 113-91 loss last night to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

Their bad news first.<\/p>\n

They lost.<\/p>\n

Their good news? The reasons they lost were pretty clear. Meaning they don’t have to dig too deeply to understand what they have to correct for Game 2. Or try to correct.<\/p>\n

Cleveland turned the ball over 20 times. Compared to four for the Warriors.<\/p>\n

“Twenty turnovers in the Finals definitely is not going to get it done,” said Cleveland point guard Kyrie Irving.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the Cavs should listen to Golden State point guard Steph Curry explain his team’s low<\/em><\/em>turnover rate.<\/p>\n

“Keepin’ it simple man,” Curry said. “Making the pass that’s in front of you. Turnovers happen when you get away from the simple play. [When you] try to do too much or rush.”<\/p>\n

Cleveland gave up 56 points in the paint. Meaning the Warriors scored half their points near the basket, where, in theory, it’s easier to score. Cleveland has to defend near the basket better.<\/p>\n

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\n Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif.<\/p>\n

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Marcio Jose Sanchez\/AP<\/p>\n

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Marcio Jose Sanchez\/AP<\/p>\n

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Part of the problem is Cleveland also has to defend against Golden State’s superlative long-range, three-point shooters as well. That draws defenders away from the basket.<\/p>\n