NBA Game 3 thriller: That’s why they play
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Cleveland, Wednesday, June 7, 2017. (Ronald Martinez/Pool Photo via AP)
The NBA Finals curtain may fall Saturday right in Cleveland after the Golden State Warriors stole Game 3 to take a 3-0 lead in the championship playoffs. The defending champion Cavaliers lost a third straight time in the Finals but it cannot be said that they did not deliver the promised sock and gallantry in a killing bid to defend their home.
The Cavaliers, out to surpass themselves, poured it all but pitifully fell short.
Golden State’s big win was credited mainly on Kevin Durant, who connected with an amazing three-point sniper shot from far off that instantly turned the tide in favor of the trailing Warriors.
On the other hand, the setback would be blamed on six scoreless Cleveland possessions in the homestretch, when they also allowed an 11-0 Golden State closeout.
Didn’t the Cavs fall victim to the own frenetic pace they had set right off?
The game, intense and sharp, produced some of the finest basketball in the NBA postseason, enough to earn it a glowing high-caliber rating.
It did appear for most part of Game 3 that Cleveland would finally succeed in taming the rampaging Warriors.
It was too late before LeBron James & Co. realized the Warriors were truly unreachable.
Cried James: “It’s probably the most firepower I’ve played against in my entire career.”
If it’s any consolation, the Cavs succeeded in providing a noble challenge that also helped raise the contest to a near-classic, the best one in the Finals.
There were blinding lead changes, as the wood court rumbled to the roar and flash of thunderous action.
The Warriors, after two bludgeon wins in the Finals, were pushed on the brink going into the final minutes of Game 3.
It would not be fair though to say that the Warriors took Game 3 mainly on the Cleveland team meltdown. Golden State had to withstand several harsh nerve-wracking moments. In short, it prevailed because it refused to be shaken. It kept its poise and competed with sustained fire and passion.
The Cavs will have all of its able soldiers in Game 4.
But, as things stand, they would need for either Durant or Steph Curry to call in sick if they hope to stop the Golden State coronation happening right in their own home.
