LeBron and The Cavaliers got things done tonight. Leading by twenty at the end of the first quarter, The Warriors realistically didn’t have a chance coming so slow out of the gate. Although you can never count this Golden State team out of a contest, the closest they ever came was down 7 on their way to a 115-101 loss. Heading into Game 7 in Oracle Arena, don’t be surprised if fans lose their hearing leaving the arena on Sunday night.
LeBron is a man possessed. The 4-time MVP had another career night out of a catalog too thick to count as he dropped 41/11/8 and a highlight reel that you’ll want to catch again. Putting the team on his back, even scoring 18 straight at one point, he was the absolute leader in all aspects of tonight’s battle. It’s going to be hard for the Finals MVP award not to end up in his hands even if The Dubs repeat their championship success. Getting everyone involved as he typically does, Kyrie showed glimpses of his unearthly Game 5 performance with 23, as J.R. Smith also contributed a solid 14 scores in his 40 minutes of action. Tristan Thompson, who has transcended the underwhelming and underperforming Kevin Love in terms of effectiveness ended the evening with 15 points and 16 boards, achieving a double-double in the beginning of the second quarter. The crew from Ohio was operating on all cylinders tonight.
Those things can’t be said for the other side. Harrison Barnes, who had pipe dreams of filling the max contract role for a lottery team this offseason, continued his horrendous play going 0-8 from the field after his 2-14 Game 5 outing. With Steve Kerr likely adjusting his rotation to limit his negative impact, the bench will need to step up if they wish to reverse the current trend in Game 7. As Andrew Bogut is out for the year and Andre Iguodala is seemingly hobbled, key bench pawns Leandro Barbosa and Shaun Livingston need to find their previous backcourt success. Superstars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were the only two to score double digits Thursday night on a combined 41% shooting. With a comeback in sight, a questionable foul call led to Curry’s ejection and explosion, sparking some controversy in the social media world (Including some deleted tweets from his wife). Bad calls aside, the Warriors simply couldn’t compete, as they were outrebounded, shot considerably worse, and totaled more turnovers. Struggling every possession to develop anything on offense and repeatedly allowing consecutive alley-oops needs to end if they want to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2016.
The stage is set with anticipation for Game 7. The The Cleveland Cavaliers bring their first championship to “The Land”. Or will The Golden State Warriors hold on to finish their historic season on a high note? All will be decided in the final game of the season, Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Check out Bron Bron doing things only Bron Bron can do below:
LeBron. Raymone. James. What a strong alley-oop slam!
#Cavs #NBAFinals https://t.co/yCKuGwBGFZ
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) June 17, 2016
