Cavs appear unprepared for Warriors’ energy in Game 1 loss

12:28 AM ET

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Cleveland Cavaliers waited 12 long months for a chance at revenge against the Golden State Warriors but came away looking unprepared for the offensive onslaught that awaited them at Oracle Arena in Thursday’s 104-89 loss in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue vowed to run with the Warriors, a team better at that style than perhaps any team in league history after an all-time best 73-9 mark in the regular season, but the wheels fell off his supposedly rested squad.

Although Cleveland hadn’t played a game in five days and the Warriors had just two days off after their drag-it-out, seven-game series against Oklahoma City, it was the Cavs who looked a step slow on offense and downright discombobulated on defense.

Golden State’s stifling defense and solid bench play kept Cleveland at bay in Game 1. AP Photo/Ben Margot

The final score was a laugher, but Cleveland showed brief signs of life.

After trailing by as many as 14 in the first half, the Cavs made their run midway through the third quarter on the backs of the two players missing from last year’s Finals: Kyrie Irving (26 points) and Kevin Love (17 points, 13 rebounds). Those two helped the Cavs to their first lead …

continue reading in source espn.go.com