OAKLAND -- The hype for this NBA Finals was as breathless as it was relentless, and for a half Game 1 lived up to the billing.
The Warriors then came out in the second half and blew the defending champion Cavaliers off the floor, rolling to a 113-91 victory Thursday night inside roaring, rollicking Oracle Arena.
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Kevin Durant poured in 38 points to lead all scorers, and Stephen Curry totaled 28. No other Warrior had more than nine (Draymond Green).
The Warriors limited Cleveland to 34.9-percent shooting for the game. They held the Cavs to 32 percent in the pivotal third quarter, outscoring them 33-20 to take command and go up 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.
The Warriors offset a 59-50 disadvantage in rebounds by committing only a postseason-low four turnovers, while Cleveland finished with 20 giveaways, off which the Warriors scored 21 points.
The Warriors also punished the Cavs in the paint, outscoring them 56-30.
Golden State Warriors
LeBron James scored 28 points to lead Cleveland, while Kyrie Irving added 24 and Kevin Love totaled 15 points and a game-high 21 rebounds.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
This was, in most significant ways, a Durant-Curry production.
Durant’s line: 38 points (14-of-26 shooting from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point distance, 7-of-8 from the line), eight rebounds and eight assists. He played 38 minutes and finished plus-16.
Curry’s line: 28 points (11-of-22 from the field, 6-of-11 from deep), a game-high 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals. He played 34 minutes and was plus-20.
TURNING POINT
Up eight (60-52) after a first half in which they missed nine layups, the Warriors opened the second half with a 13-0 run to go up 73-52 with 8:04 left in the third quarter.
Curry scored eight of the 13 points during the rally.
The Cavs got no closer than 12 (80-68) over the final 20 minutes.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: None. C Damian Jones and F Kevon Looney were inactive.
Cavaliers: C Edy Tavares (R hand fracture) was listed as out. G Kay Felder and Tavares were inactive.
WHAT’S NEXT
The teams reconvene Sunday at Oracle Arena for Game 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.