Through two games of the NBA Finals, LeBron James has, for the most part, been matched up against Kevin Durant.
In Game 1, the Warriors shot 7-for-11 from the field for 19 points when LeBron was the primary defender.
In Game 2, they went 6-for-10.
After shootaround on Wednesday, LeBron had the following exchange with a member of the media:
Reporter: "Guarding KD, does it take a toll on you in the second half, maybe?"
LeBron: "No ... do I look tired?"
Sports
Reporter: "People..."
LeBron: "Ah, people ... nah, I feel great. I'm averaging a triple-double in the Finals. I'm pretty good, I would think..."
LeBron won't admit it, but he was exhausted in Game 2: 12 1st half shots (all in paint), just 6 shots in 2nd half. This says it all... pic.twitter.com/2HWmPyAx5Q— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) June 7, 2017
[POOLE: Durant on same level or above LeBron, and this isn't new in the NBA Finals]
In the first half of Game 2, LeBron racked up 18 points and 10 assists. He made 8 of his 12 shots, with every attempt coming in the paint.
In the second half, he only took six shots (made four of them) and four of them were from outside the paint. He went 1-for-3 from distance.
- LeBron's Game 1 stats: 28 points (9-for-20), 15 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks, 8 turnovers
- Durant's Game stats: 38 points (14-for-26), 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 0 turnovers
- LeBron's Game 2 stats: 29 points (12-for-18), 11 rebounds, 14 assists, 3 steals, block, 4 turnovers
- Durant's Game 2 stats: 33 points (13-for-22), 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks, 2 steals, 3 turnovers
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders and a Web Producer at NBC Sports Bay Area. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller
