The Cleveland Cavaliers get their heart ripped out of them in Game 3 of the NBA Finals
After an 11-0 run to close Game 3, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 series lead in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. They will head into Game 4 with their backs against the wall, staring the offseason straight in the eye.
In a very tight Game 3 – the Warriors prevailed 118-113 – LeBron James stood out for the Cavs in a losing effort. Recording another triple-double (39 points, 11 rebounds and 9 rebounds), LeBron’s all-around onslaught was still not enough to overcome Golden State’s firepower.
Kyrie Irving also had an amazing Game 3, after a lackluster Game 1 and 2, but the Cavs still found themselves on the losing end. Irving finished with 38 points, six rebounds and three assists in the thrilling loss.
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Down 3-0, and after getting nearly a combined 80 points from Kyrie and LeBron, it’s difficult to ask any more from the Cavs. It’s unfair. Even when playing at their best – arguably – the Warriors proved that Cleveland is simply outmatched.
If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to extend this series past four games, they’re going to need to do something about Kevin Durant, who absolutely dominated in the last few minutes of Game 3. He finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists, which included multiple huge buckets in the final two minutes of Game 3.
Stephen Curry added 26 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in Game 3, too.
Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors are now one win away from claiming their first NBA Championship together. The Cleveland Cavaliers, on the other hand, are one loss away from having more questions than answers heading into the offseason.
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Cleveland came back from down 3-1 in last year’s NBA Finals, but this is a different Warriors team and different deficit.