The Cleveland Cavaliers needed a fast start to win Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, and they got a record-setting one that fueled a 137-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
The Cavs opened the first quarter with 49 points, the most in a quarter in Finals history. They then smashed the Finals points record for a half, taking an 86-68 lead after the second quarter.
The Cavaliers' 137 total points were also the most by any team in Finals history when facing elimination. Cleveland passed the previous mark set by the Philadelphia 76ers when they scored 135 points in 1982 against the Lakers.
The previous record for a quarter was 47, set in 1984, by the Los Angeles Lakers against the Boston Celtics in the third.
The Cavs were aided by 22 free throw attempts in the opening 15 minutes, the most by any team in any quarter this postseason. They also had 10 assists, tied for their most in a quarter this postseason. Overall, the 154 points between the teams marked the highest-scoring half in Finals history.
Asked before the second quarter what his team needed to do to slow down the Cavaliers, Warriors coach Steve Kerr told ESPN: "Defense. Got to get a stop."
Golden State didn't get one.
Cleveland stayed on fire in the second quarter, ultimately setting the record for most Finals points in a half. The previous record was 81, set by the 76ers in 1982.
Kyrie Irving's 40 points led the Cavs. LeBron James scored 31 and Kevin Love had 23.
The Cavs also set the Finals record for most 3-pointers in a game with 24 and for most in a half, with 13 3's made in the first 24 minutes of the game.
