NBA Finals - Game 2

Welcome to another edition of WhoReps' look at the NBA Playoffs. Today we'll be recapping Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Enjoy! Click a bolded name to see their page.  
                                            
Throughout his illustrious career, Warriors guard Steph Curry has been compared to many great shooters of the past. Ray Allen. Reggie Miller. Larry Bird. Now he's done something none of them, nor anyone else, has ever done before- hit nine three pointers in an NBA Finals game. When he's on like that, hitting all manner of impossible shots from all over the court, Golden State can't lose. Cleveland actually came out somewhat inspired and played defense well enough, it just didn't matter. Klay Thompson appeared no worse for the wear after a collision in Game 1 had him questionable to play, while Kevin Durant returned to his usual deadly form after a rough go of it in the opener. If the Warriors were lucky to escape in Game 1, they were more than prepared to dominate this one.
 
For the Cavaliers, Game 2 was much more along the lines of what people expected in this series. Which makes the debacle at the end of regulation last Thursday hurt that much worse. LeBron James was his usually LeBron self with an efficient near triple-double, and the game wasn't even close in the fourth quarter. The Cavs role players were invisible yet again, with man of the hour J.R. Smith failing to redeem himself for his miscue in any way. J.R. was also hilariously serenaded with 'M.V.P.' chants at points during the game by a thankful Oracle crowd. Kevin Love has shown up, for his part, but he's just not on the same level as the Warriors' stars. It's clear at this point that in order for Cleveland to win in this series LeBron has to score at LEAST 40 points, which is simply too insane of an ask from any one player. That its even a possibility speaks to his greatness.

The Cavs have been a much better team at home all playoffs long. But the Warriors are not the Celtics or Raptors or Pacers. It will take a herculean effort to win four out of five against them, as going down 0-2 necessitates. To be sure, if there's any one guy who can do it, it's LeBron. But the Warriors will be eager to step on Cleveland's neck in Game 3, particularly if wing Andre Iguodala can make his return from the leg injury that has kept him out since early in the Houston series. Explosive center JaVale McGee has provided an athletic spark for Golden State since replacing Kevon Looney at halftime of Game 1, and he'll continue to be relied upon to punish Cleveland for their lack of rim protection. The Cavs are going to have to find some more answers and fast - or we're looking at a second straight Finals thats drama-free.