Cavs’ first-half outburst breaks multiple Finals records
In a must-win situation, Cleveland set no fewer than three NBA Finals scoring records in Game 4 on Friday – in the first half alone.
The Cavaliers owned an 86-68 halftime lead over the Warriors. Cleveland’s 86, and the combined tally of 154, both mark the highest point totals for a half in Finals history. The Cavs had 49 in the first quarter, also a Finals record.
Kyrie Irving scored 28, LeBron James scored 22 and Kevin Love had 17. The Cavaliers shot 22 free throw attempts in the first quarter alone.
Cleveland’s 13 made 3-pointers in the half also set a record for the Finals. The previous record was set all of two days ago, when the Warriors went deep 12 times during Game 3.
ESPN Stats & Info tweeted a few more interesting statistics.
In the last 10 years, 13 teams scored 85 points or fewer in an entire NBA Finals game, including the Cavs twice (Game 2, 2016; Game 4, 2015) https://t.co/PoFpIcB14r
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 10, 2017
The Cavaliers scored 15 points off LeBron James' passes in the first quarter. That's more than any player has scored so far for either team.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 10, 2017
And, of course, fans were quick on Twitter to marvel at the Cavs’ scoring outburst, the Warriors’ defense (or lack thereof) and the officiating.
This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Cavs’ first-half outburst breaks multiple Finals records."