NBA FINALS: GAME 3 - THE AFTERMATH

The Cleveland Cavaliers want another championship while Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors are trying to take a championship. Well at least from their play on the court that's what it seems like. Now after a comeback that will be talked about until game 4 on Friday; Kevin Durant's who is starving, not hungry for a title is now 48 minutes from grabbing his first illustrious ring and also a 2017 NBA Finals trophy alongside it.

The Cavs had all but won Game 3 of the NBA Finals. They won the turnover battle (CLE - 12 / GSW - 18). They finally won the 3rd quarter battle, outscoring the Warriors (33-22) which until last night was an important stat line. The Warriors had outscored Cleveland (68-44) in the previous 2 games in the 3rd quarter and was (0-12) in the postseason when getting outscored by (10) points or more in the 3rd quarter. The combination of LeBron James (39 pts / 11 rebs / 6 asst - 55% shooting) and Kyrie Irving (38 pts / 6 rebs / 3 ast - 55% shooting) totaled for (77) of the Cavaliers (113) points which was 2nd most in NBA Finals history for teammates behind (Jerry West/Elgin Baylor - 87) in 1962. After a Cavs made bucket with (3:09) remaining in the 4th quarter, Cleveland went up (6), (113-107); however went scoreless after that. They panicked and were scrambling defensively. Missing wide open three's when in fact in my opinion went away from driving to the basket and trying to get to the FT line which had them in a position to win to begin with and went (0/10) from the field with 2 turnovers. GSW went on an (11-0) run in that final frame (3/3) from the field, (4/4) from the FT line and a clutch go ahead 3-pointer by Kevin Durant to win (118-113). Cleveland went scoreless in the final 3 minutes and was the first team shut out in that span since the Warriors Game 7 last year in the Finals.

Durant capped off (14) of his (31) points in that 4th quarter. He finished with (31 pts / 8 rebs) as he alongside Shaq and MJ are the only players in NBA Finals history to score at least (25 points) or more in their first 8 Finals appearances. Klay Thompson finished with (30 points, 6/11 - 3PT) including scoring 16 points in the first quarter as the Warriors made an NBA Finals record (9) three's. Steph Curry added (26 pts / 13 rebs), posting double-digits in boards in back to back playoff games is a first. As the Warriors bench outscored the Cavs (23-11) on their way to (15) consecutive playoff wins a record amongst all pro sports (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL). Only JR Smith (16 points 5/10 - 3PT) and Kyle Korver (8 points) were about the only other players besides James/Irving who scored. Tristan Thompson was held scoreless for the 2nd time in 3 games. Kevin Love only contributed (9 points) on (1/9 - shooting) in 37 minutes. While he did provide (13 boards and 6 steals), once again the Cavs were still looking for answers offensively as James and Irving both played at least 45 minutes. The Warriors had nice runs to end quarters (10-0) in the first, (10-4) in the second, and finished with a (11-0) in the fourth which propelled them one game away from that Larry O'Brien trophy.

From the beginning of the game it was a back and forth slug fest as James (17 pts - 7/8 shooting) and K. Thompson (15 pts - 5/7 shooting) were lights out in the first. Thompson was once again brilliant all game, working for shots without the ball, coming off screens, cutting to the rim for baskets and of course a havoc on the defensive end. Even with the Warriors having a plague of turnovers early yet again they still were never out the game. The three point shot was more than effective in the first half as they shot (16/33 - 48.5%) from 3PT for the game. GSW has scored at least 35 or more points in the 1st quarter (35, 40, 39) which has resulted in them having a (23-0) record when scoring (35+). The Warriors continue to be beneficial off one another averaging (31) assist per game which has led to them posting (121 ppg) during the Finals. Kyrie Irving who has been averaging (21.5 pts / 4.5 ast) per finally had his breakout game including his (16) point 3rd quarter and was much more effective getting to the basket scoring (24) points in the paint. Being said, the final stretch of that 4th quarter seen Kyrie dribbling to much with one on one situations as well as horrible shot selections which eventually led to KD breaking the hearts of all of Northeast Ohio.

Coming into the game LeBron James has faced being in an (0-2) deficit 5 other times in the playoffs, he is now (4-2) in those scenarios. LeBron has averaged a mere triple-double (32 pts / 12 rebs / 10 ast) for these NBA Finals. Kevin Durant is on the verge of his first NBA Finals trophy as well as a NBA Finals MVP leading the Warriors in points, boards, and blocks during the series. The Cavs were a top (5) three point shooting team all season, however have shot (31/104 - 29.8%) during these Finals, which has been another key factor to their losses. No one has really been consistent but LeBron for Cleveland whether that has been on both ends of the floor. The matchup of James vs Durant has been clearly won by Durant. James statistically has been dominating but Durant has shown he can take over games while being consistent in his play. Yes Kevin Durant has more players to help him on a nightly basis but, Durant has more offensive power and still not been phased averaging (35 pts / 11 rebs / 7 ast / 2.5 blks / 1.5 stls) while committing far less turnovers in the process. KD has owned the 4th quarter of the series as well; Durant - 31 points on 10/15 shooting and James - 11 points on 4/11 shooting; Durant has been as clutch performer as they come especially when needed on. Fatigue has also played a factor in LeBron's 4th quarter efforts but Game 3 was theirs for the taking. After he deferred the ball several times and refrained from driving to the basket which he had been successful at, some would wonder has the torch been passed to KD as the world's best player. Cleveland cannot put all the blame on LBJ as he has posted phenomenal numbers through the first 3 games. However, once again the burden of putting a team on your shoulders has become too heavy for the 32 year old James playing in his 7th consecutive NBA Finals. The Cavs got physical with GSW early and late. The refs let both teams play early but were inconsistent with calls towards the end of the game. Fast break points, second chance points, more efficient at 3PT, more consistent at FT line, harassing defense, and the ability to score in bunches have lifted the Warriors on another level. Being said this series is all but done. If Cleveland was going to get a win it would have been last night to try and jumpstart the series; while no team has ever came back down 3-0 in NBA History (0-126). Terminar, Finire, Terminer, Fertig, whatever language you want to say it or spell it, this series is FINISH