NBA Postseason: Steph Curry Propels Golden State Warriors to Victory in Game 1, Highlights from Sunday's Games
In this Sunday's NBA postseason, the close games of Saturday gave way to more decisive matchups. The evening's main event saw Stephen Curry and the 7th-ranked Golden State Warriors take down the 2nd-seed Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.
Curry lit up the scoreboard with a game-high 31 points, leading the Warriors to a 95-85 victory in Game 1. Despite a potential blowout halfway through the third quarter, with Golden State up by 23 points, the young Houston squad refused to back down. They managed to cut the deficit to nine heading into the final frame before the Warriors held on for the win.
When things started looking tight, Curry nailed a three-pointer to secure a seven-point lead, and soon after, Jordan Thompson's basket made it a four-point game. The Warriors' Moses Moody stepped up with a crucial three-point shot, leading to a game-ending 7-0 run. After the game, Curry emphasized the importance of keeping a level head under pressure, saying, "There's going to be runs. You just kind of got to stick with it." Game 2 is on Wednesday in Houston.
The early game brought an emphatic statement from the NBA's top-ranked team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. They easily dismantled the Memphis Grizzlies, winning 131-80 to take a 1-0 series lead. The 51-point margin of victory set a record for the largest Game 1 win in NBA playoff history. Most starters for the Thunder were rested after the game was already well in hand, with Aaron Wiggins leading six OKC players in double figures, scoring 21 points. The Grizzlies will have a chance to rebound on Tuesday in Game 2.
The Boston Celtics, last year's champions, looked as strong as ever, controlling their game against the Orlando Magic. They won 103-86 at the TD Garden to take a 1-0 series lead. Derrick White was a standout for the Celtics, scoring 30 points, while Jayson Tatum added 17 points and 14 rebounds before sustaining a wrist injury in an accidental fall. Despite the scare, Tatum finished the game, and X-rays revealed no fracture. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday.
In the first game of the series between the top-ranked Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, the Cavs had an impressive victory, 121-100 at Rocket Arena in Ohio. Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome led the charge for the Cavaliers, combining for 58 points. Mitchell's 30 points extended his streak of scoring at least 30 points in a Game 1, tying legendary Michael Jordan. Jerome, a finalist for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, scored 28 points off the bench. Despite a late comeback attempt by the Heat, the Cavaliers pulled away to win by 21 points. Game 2 is on Wednesday at Rocket Arena.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope might need to focus on defense in Game 2 as the Warriors' Moses Moody managed a crucial three-pointer during the final quarter.
- The NBA offseason could see the Salary Cap deficit being addressed as more teams are facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Curry's performance in the playoffs so far has shown why he is considered one of the best basketball players in the world, with his impressive 31 points leading the Warriors against the Houston Rockets.
- In an unexpected twist, a pre-game meal of curry might become the secret to success in the upcoming NBA playoff games, following the impressive record-breaking 131-80 win by the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Memphis Grizzlies.
