RO BASKETBALL
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry hit an NBA Finals-record nine
3-pointers and scored 33 points, leading the Golden State Warriors
to a 122-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night for
2-0 lead.
Kevin Durant found his steady stroke to score 26 points to go with
nine rebounds and seven assists while also handling a load of the
defensive assignment against LeBron James. Klay Thompson added 20
points playing on a tender left leg to put the defending champions
two victories from a repeat title they have talked about since the
season began last fall.
James followed up his 51-point performance in Game 1 with 29
points, 13 assists and nine rebounds in a far tamer finals sequel
minus the utter craziness of a drama-packed opener three days prior.
Game 3 is Wednesday night in Cleveland.
BASEBALL
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Jake Arrieta is demanding the Philadelphia
Phillies shift their strategy. Do it right now, too.
The Phillies ace criticized his team’s defensive shifting following
a 6-1 loss Sunday that completed a three-game sweep for the San
Francisco Giants.
Arrieta homered for Philadelphia’s only run of the series and
pitched well until a stretch in the sixth inning when he allowed
five straight hits, capped by Andrew McCutchen’s three-run homer.
Three of those hits came on ground balls, including one weak
grounder to rookie shortstop Scott Kingery and another single hit
through the right side by Joe Panik against a shifted infield.
Arrieta’s frustration boiled over after the game. The 32-year-old
righty unloaded on an organization that gave him a $75 million,
three-year contract, taking aim at the Phillies for not keeping up
with a booming baseball trend.
”We’re the worst in the league with shifts, so we need to change
that,” Arrieta said.
SOCCER
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) – Neymar needed only 23 minutes to reassure
Brazilians that his recovery is right on track for the World Cup.
Three months after undergoing surgery on his right foot, Neymar
returned to action for Brazil and inspired a 2-0 win over Croatia
in an international friendly that showed fans, teammates and coach
Tite that he’s in good shape for Russia.
”Any team would be relieved having such a player back,” defender
Thiago Silva said after Sunday’s win at Anfield. ”We are a great
team, but Ney has that light. When the game gets tough, he steps up
to the challenge.”
The first half was dominated by heavy marking. But after Neymar
replaced Fernandinho, the five-time-World Cup champions were much
more fluent and effective playing with the formation – Neymar
joining Willian and Gabriel Jesus up front – that is likely to
start at the World Cup.
