The Golden State Warriors have comfortably won the opening game of the NBA basketball finals, beating the defending champions the Cleveland Cavaliers 113 to 91.
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 38 points and Stephen Curry hit six three-pointers as Golden State, went one nil up in the best of seven series.
Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry. Photo: Photosport
Seeking a maiden NBA title, Durant joined the Warriors from the Oklahoma Thunder in the offseason and he gave every indication his quest will be rewarded amid the talent-stacked Warriors team as he scored freely.
Fellow superstar Stephen Curry scored 28 points for the Warriors, who maintained their perfect winning record in this season's playoffs.
Seeking his fourth NBA title, LeBron James had 28 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers but also finished with seven turnovers while the entire Warriors team only gave up four turnovers as they enjoyed home court advantage.
Kyrie Irving added 24 points for the Cavs.
The highly-anticipated meeting betweeen the defending champion Cavaliers and the top-seeded Warriors did not disappoint initially, with sensational dunks by the Cavaliers' LeBron James as well as the Warriors' Durant and JaVale McGee during a see-sawing first quarter.
But the wheels came off for the Cavaliers as soon as the second half started, with Durant sinking a three-pointer and Warriors center Zaza Pachulia hitting a lay-up on a 10-0 run.
The visiting Cavaliers also hurt themselves with 20 turnovers on the night, tying an NBA record, compared to the Warriors' four.
The teams will play again in Oakland on Monday.
