Kevin Durant showed he can be the difference as the Golden State Warriors crushed the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers 113-91 in game one of the NBA Finals.
Former NBA MVP Durant scored a game-high 38 points and added eight rebounds and eight assists as the two teams began battling out the championship series for a record third straight year.
Seeking a maiden NBA title, Durant joined the Warriors from the Oklahoma Thunder in the offseason and he gave every indication his quest will be rewarded amid the talent-stacked Warriors team as he scored freely.
Fellow superstar Stephen Curry scored 28 points for the Warriors, who their extended their perfect playoffs streak this season to 13-0, an NBA record.
The game one blowout prompted Cavs coach Tyronn Lue to admit of the Warriors: "They're the best I've ever seen ... They're constantly breaking records every year."
Seeking his fourth NBA title, LeBron James had 28 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers but also finished with seven of the Cavaliers' 20 turnovers while the Warriors team only gave up four turnovers - an NBA Finals record low - as they enjoyed their home court advantage.
James also managed 15 rebounds for the Cavs while teammate Kyrie Irving added 24 points and Kevin Love grabbed 21 rebounds and scored 15 points, while Tristan Thompson was held scoreless and to four boards..
"When you turn the ball over, you gotta know that that's their best," James said.
"That's when they become very dangerous: Those guys sprint down the lane, they spring to the three-point line, they put a lot of pressure on the defence."
Durant's only previous Finals appearance ended disappointingly at the hands of James his Miami Heat team in 2012.
This time around he punished Cleveland for leaving him free, taking the ball to the hoop for emphatic dunks. He had six in the first half alone.
He shot 14 for 26 in his fifth 30-point performance this postseason, receiving a rousing ovation when he sat down for good with 2:16 remaining.
Many fans see the showdown between Durant and James as crucial.
"Those are two big household names, so we know you guys and the fans are going to want to see that and pick up on it," said acting Warriors coach Mike Brown, facing a Cleveland franchise that fired him not once but twice.
"I'm sure LeBron probably thinks he could play better, and you tip your hat off to KD."
For his part Durant was determinedly low key and self-effacing later.
"I'm only as good as my teammates," said Durant. "We just complement each other and make the game easier for each other."
The teams are back at the Oracle Arena again on Sunday for the second match in the best-of-seven match series, before the action heads to Ohio for two games.
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