The Golden State Warriors dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in nearly every facet through the first two games of the 2017 NBA Finals. However, things were a little different in the third go-round tonight. Their comfortable 2-0 lead was put to the test in Game 3, the first matchup taking place in Cleveland instead of Oakland. While the Cavs battled hard and looked like they had the game in hand, the Warriors ultimately stole Game 3 118-113 and are now just one game away from being crowned champions for the second time in the past three years.
The game got off to a torrid start thanks to the hot start of Klay Thompson who has struggled not only in this series, but throughout the entire postseason. He found his outside stroke early on, leading to a 16 point first quarter for him and a whopping 39 point period for Golden State.
For Cleveland, it was clear they made it a point to involve guard J.R. Smith early and often who has been nowhere to be found in the first two games. When engaged, Smith can serve as an x-factor for a Cavs team in desperate need for a spark. But as per usual, it was LeBron James who stole the show from the start, tallying 15 points for the quarter and 27 at the half. Even with Stephen Curry finding a rhythm in the second quarter and Kevin Love struggling in this one, James and Kyrie Irving were able to keep the game close at the halftime break.
LeBron James swipes it from JaVale and HAMMERS ONE DOWN!pic.twitter.com/7bx7EKhKjQ
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 8, 2017
The second half saw the Cavs come out with more purpose fueled by the rampant crowd filling Quicken Loans Arena. In last year’s Finals, we saw Kyrie heat up after a slow start to the series and that theme rang true again tonight. The third quarter belonged to the explosive point guard as he poured in 17 of his 38 points and gave the Cavs an edge going into the final period.
KYRIE IRVING IS DOIN’ THE DAMN THINGpic.twitter.com/UHHSNAANG1
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 8, 2017
While Steph and Klay continued doing their thing, the defensive adjustments coach Tyronn Lue made on Kevin Durant slowed him down some for the first three quarters, but he was ultimately able to get loose towards the end of the contest.
The intensity only ramped up in the final quarter as both teams tried to close out an ever important Game 3. With Draymond Green in foul trouble, the trio of Curry, Thompson, and Durant all started clicking at the right time. While Durant was kept quiet for the majority of the first three quarters, there was no stopping him down the stretch as he tallied 14 of his 33 points in the fourth and buried a cold-blooded triple in transition.
Kevin Durant cashes the pull-up 3 to give the #Warriors a late lead! #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/ikSzFbOuKp
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 8, 2017
Even with Irving and James getting contributions from role players such as Smith and even Kyle Korver, Durant and company were just too much to handle and the Warriors were able to escape Cleveland with a 118-113 win. Curry finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds while Thompson exploded for 30 for Golden State. James led the way for Cleveland with 39 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds while Smith added 16.
A firm 3-0 lead for the series has all but decided the fate of this year’s NBA Finals. While James is the best player on Earth, the Warriors are a different animal this time around and have been all year.
Now firmly in the driver’s seat, Golden State will have a chance to put the finishing touches on this thing while the Cavs will fight for one last breath of air in Game 4 on Saturday at 9PM.
