Record-breaking Curry too hot for Cavs in Game 2

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Stephen Curry broke the NBA Finals record with nine 3-pointers and amassed a game-high 33 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a second straight win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 122-103 on Sunday night at Oracle Arena.

Curry's nine 3-pointers surpassed the single-game record of eight set by the Boston Celtics' Ray Allen in 2010.

Curry had three of his nine treys in the second quarter, during which the Warriors outscored the Cavaliers 27-18 to build a 59-46 halftime lead. The Warriors switched defensive ace Draymond Green onto James to start the second quarter, and the ploy worked. James went from the 2:22 mark of the first quarter to the 2:16 mark of the second without a field goal.

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena. /VCG Photo

“It was big,” Curry mentioned to the reporters after the game. “Any of those moments when you can come down and answer and keep the momentum on our side, it's big.”

Coming off a personal-best 51 points in a Game 1 loss, LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 29 points, but his superlative efforts once again came in vain as he went more than 12 consecutive minutes in the first half without a field goal.

With James (13 assists) turning his attention more to ball distribution than shooting, the Cavaliers hung within five late in the third period before Klay Thompson and David West hit 3-pointers to help re-establish a double-digit lead.

The Cavaliers never seriously threatened in the fourth quarter. Curry hit 11 of his 26 shots and nine of his 17 3-point attempts for the Warriors, who improved to 10-1 at home in the playoffs this season.

Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2. /VCG Photo

Curry also found time for a team-high eight assists and seven rebounds. Kevin Durant had 26 points, seven assists and a team-high nine rebounds as part of a balanced attack for Golden State, which has beaten Cleveland three consecutive years in Game 2 of the Finals.

Kevin Love also had a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who have lost nine of their past 10 meetings with the Warriors.

The defending champions are up 2-0 in the series as they are gunning for their third title in four years with the scene in the best-of-seven now being shifted to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

(With inputs from Reuters)