Sports Today: Warriors assert dominance over Cavs in NBA Finals

Credit: Ezra Shaw

Credit: Ezra Shaw

Two games into the NBA Finals, now we know all we need to know about how the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors match up — at least in California.

The Cavs have been a lot better at home this postseason, and they are going to need to continue that trend to have any shot to take home the championship.

It probably still won’t be enough, but I’ve watched the NBA long enough to know unexpected things sometimes happen when there is a change of venue so I’m not ready to declare this series over.

It is getting late early though, so to speak.

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Golden State’s 122-103 victory in Game Two was perhaps the way most of these games would play out if they played 100 times.

The Cavs played OK, but the Warriors were just too good.

Then again, maybe if Cleveland hadn’t given up all those layups in the first quarter, they would have been able to get over the hump later.

The Cavaliers could still shoot better, and they probably will at home, so it would be surprising to see them get swept.

As series go on, sometimes things get weird. We only have to look back two years to see that, although that is also a reminder the No. 1 thing Cleveland is missing is another major scorer.

Who makes the shot Kyrie Irving did in that Game Seven?

Steph Curry, who has been disappointing more often than not in his previous Finals appearances, was spectacular Sunday night, while Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson also played like Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.

Draymond Green only had five points, but JaVale McGee made up for that with 12.

LeBron James scored 29 points with 13 assists, eight rebounds and five turnovers — so pretty much the average night with an extra few helpers — while Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and George Hill all played well.

JR Smith did not, a good night for him wouldn’t have made up a 19-point difference.

We have to give Cleveland credit for hanging tough, again avoiding numerous knockout blows until the end when coach Tyronn Lue conceded, as is the style in the NBA these days.

One thing about the Warriors: Typically you could look at a team and say they won’t shoot like that every night, but they are not a typical team. They very well could.

That’s why they will probably win it all again, but there is still one more lesson from 2016 to keep in mind.

The longer a series goes, the more tired those legs get, and that can lead to more of those jumpers clanging off the rim...

As for baseball matters, it was not a good weekend for the Reds, who lost two of three in San Diego. 

Luis Castillo made one big mistake Sunday, and it cost him the game.

After cruising through four innings, he had to work hard to open the fifth.

With a chance to pitch out of trouble, he instead gave up a pinch-hit grand slam and the Reds never recovered.

Hunter Renfroe absolutely punished a sinker that came in much higher than Castillo wanted.

This is the type of growing pain we should expect to see from a young staff, of course, but it gets old waiting for everything to click.

The series started well with Tyler Mahle providing one of his best starts in a while, but Matt Harvey got battered Saturday night.

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Since the ups and downs of the young starters were to be expected, the Reds could really use a guy or two in the rotation who at least gives them a solid outing every five days.

That’s where Homer Bailey’s nose dive comes in.

Apparently now we’re supposed to believe he was pitching through knee trouble?

This is a very Reds move as there is really no good way to spin it.

Either it’s totally bogus and they are buying time to let him get his head around moving to the bullpen, or the medical staff dropped the ball again letting another player hurt himself and the team by trying to play through an injury.

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As much as I would like to see Bailey succeed, I have exactly zero sympathy for his apparent fears about being effective in the bullpen.

This ain’t intramurals, brotha.

You need to earn that hefty salary one way or another, so why not keep your mouth shut and give it a try?

On the bright side, Hunter Greene’s upswing continued Sunday as he picked up his first professional win for the Dragons.

The only run Greene allowed in five innings against Lansing was homer, and that was one of only two hits he surrender while striking out eight and walking one…

Finally there are congratulations in order for two local high school teams.

Chaminade Julienne claimed the Division II state championship with a 3-1 win over Wapakoneta and Fort Loramie is the Division IV champ thanks to an 8-4 win over Hicksville.

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