Klay Thompson makes up for shooting slump on defensive end

If “King” James and the Cavaliers don’t take advantage at Oracle Arena, the Warriors will stretch their National Basketball Association playoff win streak record to 14 games and could become the first champions to run undefeated through the playoffs by winning Wednesday and Friday in Cleveland.

Stephen Curry and the Warriors head to Cleveland with a 2-0 series lead. After he committed eight turnovers in Game 1, James vowed to be better in Game 2, and he was, recording his eighth career triple-double in the NBA Finals, tying Magic Johnson for the most all time.

Curry was upset by his eight turnovers as Cleveland vowed to put more pressure on the ball and keep Durant from driving and dunking untouched as he did so many times in Game 1.

Golden State’s Stephen Curry joked about singer Rihanna on Saturday after the famous Cleveland Cavaliers fan’s courtside antics during the NBA Finals opener.

Rather than reach back to last year’s championship comeback for a confidence boost, James’ focus is on figuring out what Cleveland must do to change its fortunes against a Warriors team that is fresher and far more unsafe this year, thanks to the addition of Kevin Durant. Durant’s playing like a player that wants his first NBA Championship.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue says he wasn’t even aware of the team’s uniform scheme for Game 2, though noted, “they love those jerseys”.

The Cavs went with a more basketball-traditional look, donning navy uniforms for their Game 1 loss.

The unbeaten Warriors had been 11-0 under acting coach Mike Brown – “My guy did OK while I was gone”, Kerr said with a grin.

“The talent on the floor in this series is just unbelievable”, Kerr said.

“It was just great to be on the sidelines again”.

That sort of disparity makes it very hard for any team to win much less a Cavs team trying to beat the most successful regular season team ever on their home-court.

Steve Kerr returns to bench after missing 11 games.RIGHT: The return of Steve Kerr. The Cavs trail the series, 1-0, and in tonight’s game, they’re down by three at the half, 67-64.

At this point, it’s fair to mention the Cavs were down 2-0 to the Warriors previous year and, for that matter, the familiar 3-1. It’s the third quarter in particular that has undone the Cavs.

“I’m not a past guy too much”, James said. Perhaps it’s because I was so impressed with his defense on Sunday night. No other National Football League team has played in more than three Super Bowls or won more than two in that same span.

Their largest lead of the third was 16.

Golden State did a good job of studying James’ tendencies and rotating to cover the open Cavalier.

It only grew from there.

“It got a little out of control toward the end, but we’re not anxious about that”, James said. “Every mistake you make defensively, they make you pay”. That’s what they do.

They combined for 66 points and 18 assists in a 113-91 Game 1 thumping Thursday night against LeBron James and the defending champion Cavaliers, who must find a way to defend the high-flying Durant when the best-of-seven series resumes Sunday at Oracle Arena. But if that’s on James’ mind, he isn’t sharing it.

A year later, Curry returns to the Finals stage with a clean bill of health and with a much better team. “That’s one thing I need to correct going into Game 3, give ourselves more possessions and good things will happen”.