OAKLAND, US: Stephen Curry scored 33 points, sinking an NBA Finals record nine 3-pointers in the process, and the Golden State Warriors moved halfway to their third title in four seasons Sunday by beating Cleveland 122-103.
The Warriors, who never trailed, seized a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, which shifts to Cleveland for games three and four on Wednesday and Friday.
“We’ve got to get that same focus going to Cleveland,” Curry said.
Curry, a 30-year-old guard, broke the old mark of eight 3-pointers in a finals game set by Ray Allen of Boston in 2010.
“To be on top of that 3-point list is pretty special,” Curry said.
Curry scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, including a 4-point play from a corner 3-pointer and the record breaker from the left side with 3:30 remaining.
He finished by shooting 11-of-26 from the floor, 9-of-17 from 3-point range, with seven rebounds and eight assists.
Kevin Durant added 26 points, Klay Thompson had 20 and JaVale McGee added 12 to spark the Warriors.
Cavaliers superstar LeBron James netted 29 points with 13 assists and nine rebounds while Kevin Love added 22 points and 10 rebounds, but Cleveland came no closer than five points in the second half.
The Cavaliers and Warriors are meeting for the fourth consecutive NBA Finals, with Golden State having won titles in 2015 and 2017 while Cleveland captured the 2016 crown, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the greatest comeback in finals history.
After an overtime opener loss James called one of the worst defeats of his career, the Cavaliers couldn’t play Golden State as close, Curry and his teammates thwarting every threat.
Cavs guard J.R. Smith, whose late-game blunder in the opener denied Cleveland a potential winning shot, was greeted with a standing ovation by Warriors fans and chants of “M-V-P” when he went to the free throw line.
Smith went 2-of-9 from the floor and scored only five points.
Cleveland pulled within five points three times in the third quarter but the Warriors carried a 90-80 lead after three quarters.
James opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer but Curry followed with back-to-back 3-pointers for a 96-83 Warriors edge.
Curry followed soon after with his seventh 3-pointer of the game, a desperation heave with the shot clock expiring, to give the Warriors a 103-89 advantage and the rout was on.
Three 3-pointers by Curry sparked a 19-8 Warriors second-quarter run as Golden State took a 59-46 halftime edge.
Curry had 16 points, five rebounds and six assists in the first half, when the Warriors shot 59 percent from the floor and passed out 18 assists. James produced 15 first-half points on 5-of-11 shooting with seven rebounds and eight assists.
Steph Curry sinks NBA Finals record 9 3-pointers as Warriors defeat Cavs
Steph Curry sinks NBA Finals record 9 3-pointers as Warriors defeat Cavs
- The best-of-seven series shifts to Cleveland for games three and four on Wednesday and Friday.
- The Cavaliers and Warriors are meeting for the fourth consecutive NBA Finals, with Golden State having won titles in 2015 and 2017 while Cleveland captured the 2016 crown.
Horses central to major Vision 2030 projects in Kingdom, racing leaders say
- Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh hears about host of new equine projects
RIYADH: Leaders of Vision 2030 projects across Saudi Arabia told delegates at the 41st Asian Racing Conference that equestrianism and other sports are having a crucial impact on wider economic development and investment in the country.
Sport has been at the core of Saudi Arabia’s vision with significant investments in golf, tennis and football but the country’s love of horseracing means it is seen as a central driver of many projects maturing across the Kingdom.
The topic was covered during a panel session on Tuesday at the 41st ARC in Riyadh, organized by the Asian Racing Federation and hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
On the day news broke of a new racetrack to be constructed at Qiddiya just outside the capital, it was clear that horses are a key part of Saudi communities and a driver of economic growth.
Panelist Tim Hadaway, equestrian development executive director, sports sector, AlUla, said the horse was at the heart of much of their strategic thinking at a venue which will host an FEI World Championship event later this year.
“The horse is really one of the key strategic pillars of the project, part of Vision 2030 to drive economic development and diversity as well as the development of tourism, to showcase this part of the Kingdom to the world.”
He welcomed the increasing collaboration between various horse racing projects in the country.
“We’re working together, looking at what the ecosystem needs across the Kingdom, and to find that really strong infrastructure, that really strong development, that our company is going to see and helps the Kingdom succeed on the international stage.”
Marc Hewett, executive director, head of racecourse, Qiddiya Investment Co., was delighted to announce plans of the new racecourse on the site that will become the home of The Saudi Cup.
“Creating economic stability and economic rights, increasing equity, increasing demand, job creation, sustainability, targets and improving that infrastructure.
“These developments were all based around core, residential, education, sport, and retail projects. We’re embracing the power of play, new residents and social communities, 500,000 residents, 200,000 jobs, tourism, hospitality, education, sports and entertainment.”
