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Irrefutable evidence that the refs had it out for Steph Curry in Game 1

Dan Devine
Senior NBA writer

Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors didn’t face very much adversity in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals. But that doesn’t mean the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player didn’t have a little adversity in his face.

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OK, Warriors fans: in this instance, you are allowed to complain about the ref (in this case, Derrick Stafford) having it out for your star player.

In a truly Herculean effort, Curry bounced back from his beaning to torch the Cleveland Cavaliers to the tune of 28 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals with just two turnovers in 34 1/2 minutes of work, helping lead the Warriors to a 113-90 blowout win that gave Golden State a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

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With Curry lighting it up from the perimeter en route a 6-for-11 mark from 3-point range and superstar Kevin Durant showing exactly why Golden State imported him in free agency, the Warriors had more than enough firepower to win on a night when they shot just 42.5 percent as a team and only 11-for-16 at the foul line. After the game, Curry credited a defensive effort that limited the Cavs to 34.9 percent shooting on only 86 field-goal attempts — 20 fewer than the Warriors managed — while also forcing LeBron James’ Cleveland side into 20 turnovers.

“The best thing about tonight, obviously, was just our defensive presence and effort for 48 minutes,” Curry said. “They’re going to make tough shots, they’re a talented team, they have two of the best scorers in the league, so you got to just keep pressing, sticking to the game plan, but focus what’s in front of you.”

Steph might do well to heed his own advice, focusing-on-what’s-in-front-of-you-wise. Got to keep your head on a swivel when the refs are head-hunting out there.

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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!