Event of the Day: Golden State Warriors versus Cleveland Cavaliers
Our event of the day is the NBA Finals Game 2 showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Oracle Arena. After a thrilling opening contest that saw the Warriors escape with a 124-114 overtime win, the Cavaliers will attempt to re-focus and even up the series. As this is the fourth consecutive season that these two teams have met in the Finals, media and fans were concerned that this would be a boring re-run. However, Game 1 was far from boring as the series opener included plenty of trash talk, controversial calls, flagrant fouls and ejections. Not to mention world class basketball and fierce competition. The stage is set for an exciting series full of intriguing storylines. LeBron James will try to replicate his Game 1 performance of 51 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. The greatest basketball player on earth shot 19-32 (.592) from the field, shooting 3-7 (.429) from the three point line and hitting 10 of 11 from the free throw line.
As he has done throughout the playoffs, James has to will his team to victory in Game 2 to give them a fighting chance in the series. His supporting cast of Kevin Love, George Hill and JR Smith (who had a final seconds gaffe in Game 1) will have to step up and build upon their performances. The Golden State Warriors will once again call on their quartet of stars to vault them to a 2-0 series lead. The team’s one-two punch of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry had stellar performances in front of their home crowd in Game 1. Curry led the team with 29 points, while Durant added 26 points. Klay Thompson chipped in with his own 24 points on 8-16 shooting. Finally, Draymond Green provided a little bit of everything, with 13 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. One adjustment the Warriors may look to make in Game 2 would be to improve their rebounding. They were out-rebounded 53-38, allowing the Cavaliers to capitalize on second chance points in the paint. Expect to see another compelling game between these two rivals in the Game 2 match-up.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Italian MotoGP at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. Valentino Rossi starts in pole position at his home Grand Prix. It is a busy day in the golfing world with the final rounds of the PGA Tour Memorial Tournament, US Women’s Open Championship, and the Italian Open taking place. In Tennis, Day 8 of the 2018 French Open takes place on the clay courts at Roland Garros in Paris. It is day 2 of the World Rugby Sevens Series at Twickenham Stadium in London. In Super Rugby, the Brumbies battle the Sunwolves and in Major League Rugby, NOLA Gold play the Glendale Raptors. Rugby League action includes matches between the Roosters and Tigers and St. Helens take on Hull FC in the Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NBA