As Lue had hoped, Cleveland was more physical and won several 50-50 balls while outrebounding and outworking the Warriors, who spent much of the first half barking about the officiating.

The problem, though, was that the Cavs couldn't stop Durant. He wouldn't allow Cleveland to pull too far ahead and the superstar made up for an ineffective Curry.

James arrived at 6 p.m. dressed more casually — camouflage pants, purple hoodie, "Billionaire Boys Club" baseball cap — than on the road where he and the Cavs have been wearing suits during the postseason.

Everything is more relaxed and familiar at home for James and his teammates, who were counting on a return to their own noisy building, where they play better and shoot better, to get them back into the series.

The Warriors had other plans.

AP