Get out brooms, sweep possible
Warriors rally for 3-0 series lead
CLEVELAND — Defend The Land. That slogan is everywhere in Cleveland, all over signs outside out of Quicken Loans Arena and on T-shirts everywhere inside.
But never mind The Land theme. The Cavaliers must defend The Sweep.
The Golden State Warriors have the brooms in hand after beating Cleveland, 118-113, Wednesday night to take a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Golden State willtry for the sweep Friday night.
Cleveland came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the title last season. This year's task is even tougher. It was a bitter loss for the Cavaliers, who got terrific performances from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers took a 113-107 lead with 3:10 left. But Cleveland never scored again
Cleveland failed to execute offensively down the stretch, and Golden State’s Kevin Durant was a Cavaliers killer again, scoring seven consecutive points down the stretch to give Golden State the lead. His 3pointer with 45 seconds left put the Warriors ahead, 114113.
Durant finished with 31 points, Klay Thompson added 30 and Stephen Curry 26. For Cleveland, James came close to his second consecutive triple double with 39 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Irving finished with 38 points.
The Warriors had set an NBA Finals record with 18 3-pointers in Game 2, and they were sizzling behind the arc again, making 16 of 33 (49 percent). Thompson finished with six 3-pointers, Curry five and Durant four.
The Warriors’ 3-point barrage started early, with four of their first six field goals coming behind the arc. The Cavaliers’ transition defense once again left something to be desired, but Golden State also hit tough 3’s in its half-court offense. The Warriors made 12 3pointers in the first half and shot a sizzling 60 percent (51 percent overall).
“We want to play fast and get good shots, but not like them,” said Cavaliers coach Tyronne Lue. “They have guys who can shoot the ball from 35 feet. They shoot those 3’s in transition.”
What made matters worse for Cleveland is Thompson found his shot again. Thompson had made only 38 percent from the field in the first three playoff rounds, but showed signs of life in Game 2. He had more of a pulse in Game 3, making 4 of 5 from 3-point range in the first quarter of this game and finished the first half with 21 points to help the Warriors take a 67-61 lead into the break.
James was splendid in the first half, scoring 27 points in a variety of ways — 3-pointers and on power drives to the basket. He had 21 points in the first 15 minutes Irving started slowly, but came on strong down the stretch to finish with 17 in the first two quarters.
While Golden State made a living from 3-point range, Cleveland outscored Golden State in the paint, 28-14, in the first two quarters. But the Cavaliers made only 28 percent (5 of 18) on 3’s.
But roles were reversed in the third quarter when Cleveland made four 3pointers to only one for Golden State. The Cavaliers also turned up the defense a notch and held the Warriors to 22 points in the quarter. Cleveland held a 94-89 advantage heading into the final quarter. James and Irving combined for 65 points in the first three quarters.
Cleveland led for much of the fourth quarter until their offense failed down the stretch.