The Cavs also shut down the Warriors transition game, allowing only 7 fast-break points when they averaged 33 through the first three games. The Warriors later flew out to visit Durant in the Hamptons and had a positive meeting that included Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Green telling Durant that they're all willing to sacrifice for him in order to win.
"He doesn't have a ring yet", Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before the game.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving played their best games of these Finals, combining for 77 points, relentlessly attacking the rim.
"That was the thing I was trying to relay to the refs was to try to get the game under control, because there was a lot going on".
Kevin Durant has 31 for Golden State.
In the second quarter, Durant again tried to help the Warriors mount a comeback, hitting a memorable leaner before completing an old-fashioned three pointer to pull Golden State to back within 11. "It wasn't our smartest game that we have played all year, but it was maybe our toughest in terms of our ability to just hang in there". "So that allowed them to go do that".
Even the new CBA that comes into effect this summer and extends through the 23-24 season will not hamper the Warriors going forward. Now, Golden State fans are holding their breath. We're a better team.
Cavs come alive, halt Warriors' perfect run
Durant would join the fold in July of 2016 but that's 3/4 of the Warriors core that came directly from the draft. Yes, there are free agents in the fold in Durant most notably and Iguodala and Livingston but those are limited.
"It just looks like he understands this is his moment, this is his time", Kerr said. "And obviously this team is built to be able to do that with the talent that they have". We've seen Smith take four 3-pointers in a two-minute span.
"And getting swept is something that you never want to have happen".
Cleveland is in position to keep that streak going.
Iguodala's line: 4 points (2-of-4 shooting from the field, 0-of-2 from the line), four assists, two blocks and one rebound.
It looked like LeBron said to Durant, "why you talking insane?"
One reason for the Warriors' dominant playoff run was the acquisition of Durant in the offseason. If that means taking a shorter term or less money, KD says he's willing to do so. With James on the floor, the Cavs are a staggering plus-27. The country music trio Rascal Flatts drew the prestige assignment before Game 3 on June 7. Unfortunately, nobody told the Browns Powell would be doing that. James set the mark in his 44th career Finals game; Jordan played 35. It could have been worse: The Cavs missed eight free throws in the quarter. James showed in the 2015 Finals, when both Love and Irving were injured, that he is as capable as anyone of keeping his team in the game on his own. Brooklyn also dropped 81 in the first two quarters against Philadelphia on April 4, and Golden State had 80 at the break twice - against the Lakers on November 23 and in on December 5.
The next closest player behind these two has just 2 triple-doubles.
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