That was the case for the Cleveland Cavaliers who looked primed to take Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. They face a 3-0 deficit, something no team has ever come back from in National Basketball Association postseason history, and to make matters worse they're up against one of the best teams in National Basketball Association history in the Golden State Warriors.
Cleveland's two biggest stars punched back after two blowout losses in Oakland.
He passed Los Angeles Lakers great and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson for most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history. He had Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami and now has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in Cleveland. "Let's not forget he's averaging [34 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists] in the NBA Finals, you just don't do that".
The Cavs scored 49 points, a record for any quarter in Finals history. No NBA team has ever recovered from a 3-0 hole in the playoffs. It was that simple last year, and it's that simple this year. The Cavs hit the 80 point-mark with 1:33 left in the half.
"My mindset is to try to get every game", James said. This technical however was given to Warriors coach Steve Kerr, and Green remained in the game.
The Cavaliers' lead fluctuated up and down in the third quarter but they held a double-digit advantage throughout the quarter, ending with a 115-96 lead going into the fourth. They muscled into the paint for tough shots.
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The Cavaliers needed a record first-quarter effort to halt the Warriors 137-116 in Cleveland on Friday. It would take an even more unlikely comeback for the Cavaliers to prevent the Warriors from winning the 2017 NBA Finals and Durant might take less than the max in the offseason to keep the core together. "And they're playing like one of the best teams once again". That was the first time he was with the Cavs, and they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs.
The series also serves as a rubber match for the teams.
For all the talk of Golden State being hungry to avenge last year's Finals collapse, Durant may be the hungriest. Golden State scored 132 points and won by 19. "And obviously this team is built to be able to do that with the talent that they have", said James.
The heartache, as much as the addition of star forward Durant, has made the Warriors all the more stronger now, even in snatching defeat from victory's jaws previous year.
Irving bounced back from a rough Game 2 with 38 points, including a couple of dazzling layups where he juked around multiple Warriors. The Cavaliers, last year's champions, have been overmatched and overwhelmed.
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